Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 30, 1992 TAG: 9203300140
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: TORONTO LENGTH: Medium
"I am at a loss as to why this proposal was rejected," said Bob Goodenow, executive director of the NHL Players Association.
In a statement from his Toronto headquarters, Goodenow added:
"It is hard for some of the players on the committee to believe that some of the members on the owners' committee really want to, in fact, reach an agreement."
After 22 hours of negotiating with players, NHL officials huddled for nearly seven more Sunday to consider new proposals.
The owners turned down the players' last proposal and supported the one their committee had submitted over the weekend.
The NHLPA, without a collective bargaining agreement since Sept. 15, is set to strike at noon today, leaving in doubt the final six days of the regular season and the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"We came very close, but we couldn't close the gap," NHL president John Ziegler said during an extraordinary 5 a.m. news conference at a midtown Toronto hotel. "As I look at the issues, I feel we are fairly close on the essential issues that the players care about. That's my opinion. Their lawyers might think otherwise."
But Ziegler, who talked earlier in the day with Goodenow, said Sunday evening from Chicago that a settlement could be a phone call away.
"If Goodenow wants to call me tonight or tomorrow morning, I will be available," Ziegler said. "We can settle this on the telephone because the negotiating committee has that authority."
Ziegler warned that a lengthy settlement process soon could have an effect on the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"There comes a time when we run out of time just because of building availability," he said.
Players want liberalized free agency, independent arbitrators, a shorter draft and better benefits. Owners say they can't afford what players want.
No games are scheduled today, but five are set for Tuesday night. The playoffs, in which owners get a large percentage of the income, are scheduled to start April 8.
Owners say they will lose $9 million this season, but players say the clubs will make $24 million.
"It doesn't make any sense for the owners to lie about the numbers," said William Wirtz of the Chicago Blackhawks, the chairman of the board of governors. "These are very serious economic issues."
by CNB