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WORCESTER – The strike stalling the Worcester Railers season is over, according to a press release from the team.
The ECHL, the league that the Railers play in, and the Professional Hockey Players Association, the union that represents Railers players, reached a tentative agreement to end a short-lived strike by the players, which caused games this weekend to be postponed.
Saturday evening, Dec. 27 both sides announced that an agreement had been reached and is still subject to ratification from the Professional Hockey Players Association's executive membership and the ECHL Board of Governors. In the meantime, players will report to their teams in good faith and prepare to resume the season as scheduled.
Friday, Dec. 26 the Professional Hockey Players Association announced that it would go on strike, following stalled negotiations with the ECHL. The league had been operating without a collective bargaining agreement between the players and the teams since the last agreement expired in June.
More: Update: Worcester Railers postpone home games this weekend as ECHL players go on strike
The Railers were originally scheduled to play the Maine Mariners in Portland Friday, Dec. 26 followed by a two-game homestand against the Adirondack Thunder Saturday, Dec. 27 and Sunday, Dec. 28 all of which have been postponed.
While a new agreement has been reached, the Railers noted on their website that the weekend's games remain postponed and that pending approval of the new agreement, the season will resume Wednesday, Dec. 31 in West Virginia against the Wheeling Nailers.
Fans are recommended to call the Railers ticket office at (508) 365-1750 or email [email protected] with any questions related to the postponed games.
The ECHL is a minor hockey league, two levels below the National Hockey League, the equivalent to Double A baseball. Since 2017, the Railers have played in Worcester as an affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, replacing the departed Worcester Sharks, who were relocated to San Jose in 2015.
According the Professional Hockey Players Association, the major hold-ups in collective bargaining negotiations include the union seeking limitations on traveling when teams have games on back-to-back days, increased player compensation, better health care benefits and a holiday break.
Friday, Dec. 26 the union announced that it would be taking a job action against the ECHL, after what it described as unfair negotiation practices by the ECHL.
"For several months, we have been engaged in bargaining with the league, and their unlawful and coercive conduct throughout this process has been incredibly disappointing," Professional Hockey Players Association Executive Director Brian Ramsay stated earlier this week. "We are asking for basic standards around health, safety and working conditions that allow the players to remain healthy, compete at a high level and build sustainable professional careers."
The ECHL said Friday, Dec. 26 that its latest offer included requirements for mandatory days off, addressed travel between back-to-back games and modifying holiday and midseason breaks. It also involved every team being able to provide custom sticks and five-star helmets, and an increase in per diems for players.
“This deal rewards players and ensures the sustainability of our teams and league so that it can continue to offer an entertaining and financially accessible product to our fans, and provide our incredible players with as many opportunities to play and compete,” the ECHL wrote.
The exact details of the new agreement made Saturday, Dec. 27 were not shared by either the Professional Hockey Players Association or the ECHL.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Railers to resume season after players union ends strike
Continue reading...
The ECHL, the league that the Railers play in, and the Professional Hockey Players Association, the union that represents Railers players, reached a tentative agreement to end a short-lived strike by the players, which caused games this weekend to be postponed.
Saturday evening, Dec. 27 both sides announced that an agreement had been reached and is still subject to ratification from the Professional Hockey Players Association's executive membership and the ECHL Board of Governors. In the meantime, players will report to their teams in good faith and prepare to resume the season as scheduled.
Friday, Dec. 26 the Professional Hockey Players Association announced that it would go on strike, following stalled negotiations with the ECHL. The league had been operating without a collective bargaining agreement between the players and the teams since the last agreement expired in June.
More: Update: Worcester Railers postpone home games this weekend as ECHL players go on strike
The Railers were originally scheduled to play the Maine Mariners in Portland Friday, Dec. 26 followed by a two-game homestand against the Adirondack Thunder Saturday, Dec. 27 and Sunday, Dec. 28 all of which have been postponed.
While a new agreement has been reached, the Railers noted on their website that the weekend's games remain postponed and that pending approval of the new agreement, the season will resume Wednesday, Dec. 31 in West Virginia against the Wheeling Nailers.
Fans are recommended to call the Railers ticket office at (508) 365-1750 or email [email protected] with any questions related to the postponed games.
The ECHL is a minor hockey league, two levels below the National Hockey League, the equivalent to Double A baseball. Since 2017, the Railers have played in Worcester as an affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, replacing the departed Worcester Sharks, who were relocated to San Jose in 2015.
According the Professional Hockey Players Association, the major hold-ups in collective bargaining negotiations include the union seeking limitations on traveling when teams have games on back-to-back days, increased player compensation, better health care benefits and a holiday break.
Friday, Dec. 26 the union announced that it would be taking a job action against the ECHL, after what it described as unfair negotiation practices by the ECHL.
"For several months, we have been engaged in bargaining with the league, and their unlawful and coercive conduct throughout this process has been incredibly disappointing," Professional Hockey Players Association Executive Director Brian Ramsay stated earlier this week. "We are asking for basic standards around health, safety and working conditions that allow the players to remain healthy, compete at a high level and build sustainable professional careers."
The ECHL said Friday, Dec. 26 that its latest offer included requirements for mandatory days off, addressed travel between back-to-back games and modifying holiday and midseason breaks. It also involved every team being able to provide custom sticks and five-star helmets, and an increase in per diems for players.
“This deal rewards players and ensures the sustainability of our teams and league so that it can continue to offer an entertaining and financially accessible product to our fans, and provide our incredible players with as many opportunities to play and compete,” the ECHL wrote.
The exact details of the new agreement made Saturday, Dec. 27 were not shared by either the Professional Hockey Players Association or the ECHL.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Railers to resume season after players union ends strike
Continue reading...
