11/05/24
January 06, 2012
NHL re-alignment halted by NHLPA: "It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a plan that an overwhelming majority of our clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including players," Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement.
MLB has already completed their CBA. Did it with like a month ago.
It's been the only one of the major leagues not to have major troubles. I think 1994 got to the whole league that no one other than the owners or players care about labor disputes. The people who pay them money will just go elsewhere while they argue and might not come back when they're done.
posted by jmauro2000 at 02:52 AM on January 07, 2012
Shortly after the plan was approved, commissioner Gary Bettman said the NHLPA had expressed concerns but that the league didn't need the union to sign off on the changes.
Even if Bettman is right and the league did not need the NHLPA OK on the realignment issue, he might have worked with the union to avoid this type of stumbling block.
Not a good way to foster smooth labor relations. Bettman will have to deal with the NHLPA in the future on other matters. Smoothing ruffled feathers with the NHLPA at this point might have been beneficial down the road.
posted by roberts at 11:26 AM on January 07, 2012
One would expect Bettman to actually know whether NHLPA approval was necessary before announcing that the League didn't; he's not just the president but also a lawyer. Then again, plenty of fans would also have another description of Bettman, one not nearly so neutral nor objective.
posted by billsaysthis at 09:36 PM on January 08, 2012
From other places I've read, the NHL could go ahead with re-alignment without the PA's blessing, but they won't because they don't want to cause labor strife before the new CBA is hammered out...
posted by MeatSaber at 11:43 PM on January 08, 2012
All these fucking leagues need to be shut down. Seriously. They're all spoiled wankers.
posted by Drood at 06:50 PM on January 09, 2012
Ugh. I am sick of hearing about conflicts between leagues and their respective player's associations. How is the CBA looking in the MLB?