ECHL, Players Sign New Three-Year Labor Deal
Published on September 30, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
(Princeton, NJ - Tuesday, September 30, 2003) - The ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players' Association have agreed on a framework for resolution of their labor dispute, and the ECHL is pleased to announce that it has been notified by the PHPA that the player strike against the ECHL has ended. Major principles of the Collective Bargaining Agreement have been agreed upon, but are subject to finalization by the counsel of both the ECHL and the PHPA.
The PHPA had been on strike since August 20 after talks between the players and the league on a new CBA had progressed very little. The old CBA expired at the conclusion of the 2002-03 season.
"The agreement is an extremely positive step for the ECHL and our players. We would like to thank the fans for their patience throughout this process," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna.. "The deal is fair for our players and allows our owners to move forward with cost certainty.. It is now time to focus on hockey, and our fans can look forward to an expanded and more competitive league in what promises to be our most exciting season ever."
We are confident this agreement is reflective of the times," stated Larry Landon, PHPA Executive Director. "It protects and advances a number of issues that are essential to the well-being of the Membership and their families." The announcement allows teams to commence player signings, both foreign and domestic, as the Unfair Labor Practice charges relating to the strike have been withdrawn.
Checkers Head Coach & General Manager also commented on the new deal between the ECHL and the players. "It is nice to know we can get back to operating normally to put a team on the ice for our fans and the city. I've always had great faith in Brian McKenna, the ECHL and the PHPA that they would be able to get something done. With that in mind, we've been operating, preparing and planning as close to normal as possible. I'm really looking forward to seeing our new group of players come in on Sunday for physicals, and then to hit the ice on Monday."
Some of the major points of the new CBA include:
⢠$10,000 per week salary cap with no Player Assistants, rising to $10,500 in the third year;
⢠An extended off-ice insurance plan for players and their families;
⢠A reserve system that allows Clubs to qualify eight (8) players;
⢠An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) that provides players 24 hour access to medical counseling; and
⢠A veteran rule that allows four (4) veteran players per Club with the number of games to qualify being 288 games, dropping to 260 games in year three.
The Checkers training camp opens this Sunday when players will report for physicals. Two-a-day workouts begin Monday, October 6 at Cricket Arena with the first practice at 10:00 a.m.
CHECKERS TICKETS: All regular season individual game tickets and preseason game tickets are on sale. Tickets may be purchased at the Cricket Arena Box Office, the Charlotte Coliseum Box Office, and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may also be purchased by phone by using a credit card and calling Ticketmaster at (704) 922-6500, and through the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com.
Individual game tickets for the 2003-04 season are priced at $7.00 for balcony seats, $10.00 for end mezzanine seats, $12.00 for side mezzanine seats, $15.00 for circle seats, and $20.00 for box seats.
All tickets for the Checkers / Columbia Inferno preseason game at Cricket Arena on Monday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. are reserved and priced at $5.00. Checkers full season ticket holders will receive their tickets for free. Parking for the preseason game at Cricket Arena will be FREE for ALL fans on October 13. Season Tickets, mini plans and group tickets remain on sale through the Checkers office. Season tickets start as low as $245.00. Further information can be obtained by calling the Checkers office at (704) 342-4423.
The Checkers will begin their 11th season in the ECHL with the regular season and home opener Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. hosting the Gwinnett (GA) Gladiators at Cricket Arena.
American Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2003
- ECHL, Players Sign New Three-Year Labor Deal - Charlotte Checkers
- Panzer to Play in Peace Garden State - Worcester IceCats
- Penguins Assign Nine Players to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Rick DiPietro To Grace AHL Covers - Bridgeport Islanders
- Sound Tigers To Scrimmage Wednesday At Wonderland - Bridgeport Islanders
- Spezza, Ward, DiPietro grace AHL covers - AHL
- Purple Painted People Unveiled at Grape Street Pub - Adirondack Phantoms
- Moscevsky Assigned To Barons - Cleveland Barons
- Griffins Sign David Brisson - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Admirals Update - Norfolk Admirals
- Maple Leafs Announce Preseason Schedule - Toronto Marlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
