The Work Starts For The NHLPA

from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of Yahoo Sports, This is the culmination of two years of preparation for Don Fehr and the NHL Players’ Association – the rewriting of their constitution, the selection of Fehr as executive director, the rebuilding of the organization, the education of both the staff and players, the reuniting of the union.

The NHLPA is holding executive board meetings Monday through Wednesday in Chicago, its last major gathering before labor talks. The staff and about 50 players will discuss issues and strategy, then announce their negotiating committee.
It’s time to get down to business. Talks could begin as soon as this week.

Expect to hear optimism that a deal can be reached before the collective bargaining agreement expires Sept. 15, contrasting with the pessimism many feel about the 2012-13 season opening on time.

As far as the players are concerned, this is the starting point: They made enormous concessions after the lockout of 2004-05 – a salary cap, a 24-percent pay cut and more – and the game has grown from a $2.1-billion business into a $3.3-billion business. Why mess it up?

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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/the_work_starts_for_the_nhlpa/

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