NHL, Players' Association's next meeting set for Friday on new Labour Talks
The last time that the National Hockey League (NHL) and NHL Players’ Association met was in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in which both stakeholders talked out for three hours and have now set Friday as the next day for meeting and
continuing negotiations on a new labour deal.
The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is set to expire in September 15, and fortunately, both sides have shown their willingness to handle the issue with extreme care before making any solid decisions.
"The parties are approaching this in an appropriate and businesslike manner and have got meetings scheduled going out into the future," NHLPA executive director, Donald Fehr, told Newsday. "I wouldn't draw any particular significance to it beyond that."
When asked whether the league would have a new labour deal in place prior to the start of the 2012-2013 NHL regular season, no confirmation was given from either side as it was hard to say how long the talks could continue.
"You do the best you can. You listen and explain yourself clearly and hope the other parties do likewise, and that gets you to an agreement. ... I'm not distressed by these meetings at all," Fehr added.
According to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, the talks that both sides have taken part in up until now have been constructive and should lead to a mutual understanding.
"The parties are approaching this in an appropriate and business-like manner and have got meetings scheduled going out into the future," Fehr said. "I wouldn't draw any particular significance to it beyond that, but you have to have a series of meetings."
Gary Bettman, along with deputy commissioner Bill Daly, Brendan Shanahan, Jeremy Jacobs, Craig Leipold and Murray Edwards were the people leading the NHL delegation on Tuesday and could be in on Friday as well.
On the side of the NHLPA, Donald Fehr was obviously the leading man along with Mathieu Schneider, David Backes, Brad Boyes, Chris Campoli, B.J. Crombeen, Mathieu Darche, Manny Malhotra and a number of others including Jeff Skinner as well.
"The process is moving forward in a constructive manner," Bettman added.
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