League files suit to establish the lockout’s legality
NEW YORK — Anticipating a possible antitrust suit, the NHL has brought its labor fight against hockey players to federal court.
The league filed a class action suit Friday in U.S. District Court in New York, seeking to establish that its now 90-day lockout is legal. In a separate move, the NHL filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming the players’ association has bargained in bad faith.
The NHL said it believes the union’s executive board is seeking authorization to give up its collective bargaining rights, a necessary step before players could file an antitrust lawsuit.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly declined to comment on the league’s actions Friday. The moves were made after the sides held a bargaining teleconference, following two days of talks that included federal mediators.
Players’ association special counsel Steve Fehr, meanwhile, declined to comment on the lawsuits or to confirm the union’s plans regarding a so-called disclaimer of interest. But the union issued a statement Friday night to address the NHL’s actions.
“The NHLPA has just received a copy of the National Labor Relations Board charge and has not yet been served with the lawsuit,” the statement said. “However, based on what we’ve learned so far, the NHL appears to be arguing that players should be stopped from even considering their right to decide whether or not to be represented by a union. We believe that their position is completely without merit.”
Fehr, who took part in the conference call earlier Friday, said the league In-person talks on Dec. 13 in New Jersey. Bargaining teleconference call on Dec. 14. None scheduled.
527 (all games through Dec. 30, plus New Year’s Day Winter Classic and AllStar weekend). didn’t make its legal plans known during its discussions.
If players choose to pursue a disclaimer of interest, the union would essentially stop being a collective group to negotiate a labor deal with the NHL. The Canadian Press, citing unidentified sources, said that the union’s executive board requested a vote from its membership on Thursday night that would give it the authority to file a disclaimer.
Such a move wouldn’t necessarily doom the entire hockey season that has already been longdelayed and shortened.
During the NBA lockout last year, the basketball union made a similar move. But negotiations continued anyway and a tentative agreement was reached within a couple of weeks.
The union then reformed in time for players to ratify the new deal and begin a shortened season. NFL players took the same route last year, as well.
By filing the complaint in New York, the NHL guaranteed that the legality of the lockout would be decided in a court known to be sympathetic toward management. The league is concerned that if the union dissolves and seeks to have the lockout deemed illegal, players could be due triple their lost salaries if they are successful.