Players' Association writes Letter to Canadian Parliament, Updates on Lockout Status -NHL Update
The National Hockey League (NHL) lockout has not only affected the league and players, but also millions of fans around the world, who are craving to see a hockey matchup of the world’s best at play.
Canadian parliamentarians have also become active in keeping up to date with the latest happenings between the league and Players’ Association, as they themselves are fans and also are answerable to the millions of fans they represent.
National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) director of hockey operations, Alexandra Dagg, wrote a letter recently to the honourable members of the Canadian parliament, updating them on the entire situation and what has happened up until November
19, 2012.
In it, the labour union stated the following,
"they continue to insist that they will not move off their 'take-it-or-leave it' approach to bargaining. The players have proposed that their share of hockey-related revenue move towards the NHL's stated desire for a 50-50 split, with the only condition
being that they honour contracts they have already signed. Honouring contracts signed between owners and players is a reasonable request.”
"We have repeatedly advised the owners that the players are prepared to sit down and negotiate on any day, with no pre-conditions.”
One of the biggest statements made in the letter was terming the decision to bring a lockout into play was a unilateral one by the league and team owners. It was obvious prior to it coming into force as the league showed no intentions of allowing a regular
season without having a labour deal in play, despite being able to keep the old one going until a new one was agreed upon.
It was also surprising to see that despite being fourth ranked throughout North America, which has four major sport followings, hockey has seen the most lost games due to work stoppage throughout its history than the other major league sports combined.
Damage due to the lockout is also extensive and unbearable by anyone involved, along with the loss of many jobs for team staff members, but it is about time that the Canadian parliament also step in to clear up the situation and bring hockey back on TV.
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