Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames players preparing to appeal to Alberta Labour Relations Board -NHL Update
In wake of the lockout, that at the moment does not have a specific timeframe till where it may end, players from the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames sides are preparing to approach the Alberta Labour Relations Board in order to have their appeal heard
and the deadlock by the National Hockey League (NHL) declared illegal.
The main point that the players are hoping to capitalise on is their claim of the NHL not having followed proper protocols in term of announcing a lockout and hopes to have the entire situation termed illegal. If ruled in their favour, Calgary Flames and
Edmonton Oilers players will be eligible to continue getting their salaries, use team facilities and maybe even play, if required.
But none of the terms and conditions as to what may follow can be predicted as of yet since players recently approached the Quebec Labour Board and were handed down a judgement in the league’s favour.
“If we get a positive ruling I guess it means we can go about our business as a team,” said Edmonton winger Ryan Jones. “We can be together as a team, we can be practising.”
According to law in the Canadian province of Alberta, the teams are required to appoint a mediator, with consent from the other side as well, and have that authority decide what should come about of the situation. It is a well known fact that the NHL had
extreme disliking in this regard and went ahead with it on their own.
“The (mediator) was around for three days and made no attempt to get the sides together,” said Oilers goalie and player rep Devan Dubnyk, according to Edmonton Sun. “We don’t feel like they went through the process properly.”
Players from both sides have signed on the petition and are looking forward to the hearings to start and are definitely hoping for the best, while it is still uncertain what the league has decided to do in this case.
“We’re going to have as many of us as we can get there,” added Dubnyk.
Updates and developments should be expected in the upcoming days.
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