THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 1995 TAG: 9502150580
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
A players union apparently is coming to the ECHL, and the effects are already being felt by the Hampton Roads Admirals.
The Professional Hockey Players Association, which represents players in the NHL, AHL and IHL, filed a certification petition Monday in Pittsburgh with the National Labor Relations Board to represent ECHL players. Officials from the PHPA were unavailable for comment, but they issued a news release saying the union has met with players in all 18 ECHL cities.
Admirals forward Dennis McEwen said the players were told by a PHPA representative that most of their ECHL compatriots opted to join the union. Only 30 percent are needed for the union to be able to demand a referendum, which likely will be held this spring or summer.
If a majority of players vote for the union in the referendum, the PHPA would then become the bargaining agent for the players and would attempt to negotiate a contract for next season.
Dayton Bombers president Bud Gingher, chairman of the board for the ECHL, says the league will honor the results of the referendum.
``If that happens, we will sit down and negotiate with them,'' he said. ``We're going to abide by the laws and will handle this thing as professionally as possible.
``We'll explain our side before the vote, and abide by the results, whatever they are.''
A union likely would bring change to the ECHL, such as an increase in or an end to the league's salary cap, but would also bring the threat of a strike. The NHL recently ended a lockout thatcut the season by half. The PHPA also is threatening to strike during the AHL playoffs this season.
The Admirals met with a PHPA representative last Wednesday at the Howard Johnson Hotel in downtown Norfolk, and most voted to join the union. Forwards Rod Taylor and Kelly Sorensen are the only players known not to have signed applications for PHPA membership.
McEwen said he regrets having signed the application and will vote against the union in the referendum.
Nonetheless, the pro-union vote by the Admirals has angered team president and owner Blake Cullen. Though he declined comment on most questions regarding the union, what has often been described as a family relationship between management and the players has been replaced, at least temporarily, by a cooler atmosphere.
Cullen is one of the most benevolent of the ECHL's owners. He provides medical care for players beyond the ECHL minimum, pays for pregame and postgame meals for most home games and has the league's most liberal travel policy. Hampton Roads is the only ECHL that flies to some games. Most teams travel exclusively by bus.
He has also sought unsuccessfully to have the league's salary cap abolished.
``Blake treats us well,'' McEwen said. ``He hasn't said anything about it (the union vote) to us, but we've heard that he's hurt and upset.''
Cullen learned about the PHPA representative coming to Norfolk last Tuesday and he offered on Wednesday to set up a meeting room for the meeting at Scope. He also asked to be allowed to speak.
But he was told by the players that the PHPA representative was scheduled to meet with them within the hour and that he would not be allowed to speak.
Although the PHPA has not yet formulated a list of grievances, players say three issues are of major import to the players:
They want to see the salary cap, which limits players to an average of $338 per week, abolished or increased.
They want guaranteed medical care both on and off the ice.
They want contracts guaranteed, as they are in the IHL and AHL. Currently, players can be signed one day and waived the next in the ECHL.
Taylor said he's not sure whether he's in favor of a union, but understands why some of his teammates are.
``There are very few, if any, complaints from guys about how we're being treated here,'' he said.
``I know Mr. Cullen is upset about this, but this is not a jab at him at all. He's great to us. He's awesome to us.
``But it's not like that everywhere else. Mr. Cullen takes care of us. In other places, they don't always take care of their players.''
McEwen said he was either misled or misinterpreted what was said at last week's meeting, and wonders other players might have been, too.
``My interpretation was that this was by no means committing to anything,'' he said. ``When we met we were told that by signing (a contract with the PHPA), we would just be showing an interest in the union, that we wouldn't become members until we paid dues. That it's gone this far really surprises me.
``I must have misinterpreted what was said. That's my fault. If it comes up for a vote, I'll have to vote against it.''
Regardless, the chill in relations between management and players apparently has affected the Admirals on the ice.
``We had a terrible practice today (Tuesday),'' Taylor said.
Admirals coach John Brophy, whose team hosts Roanoke tonight at Scope, said it's been that way for almost a week.
``I don't know anything about the union,'' he said. ``That's none of my business.
``But this hockey team is my business. I believe it's the responsibility of the players to practice the day before a game. We expect them to come to the rink ready to practice and they weren't today.'' by CNB