OFF THE ICE: Everblades hockey players go on strike a day after Christmas

UPDATE:
The deadline for the ECHL and its players to reach a new labor agreement has passed, officially triggering a player strike that could impact games across the league. That raises the question: what does this mean for the Florida Everblades?

On Friday afternoon, the Everblades addressed the situation in a message to fans on their Facebook page, confirming that negotiations with the players’ union did not result in an agreement before the December 26 deadline.

Then, on Friday evening in a second Facebook post, the Everblades confirmed that their regular season game against the Reading Royals on December 27th as been postponed. They say tickets purchased for the game will remain valid for the rescheduled date. But, they did not say if the Sunday, December 28th game has been affected and ask fans to check their socials for updates.

We also reached out to the ECHL for comment but did not receive a response.

In a statement, the league said it presented what it called a “last, best, and final offer” to the players. That proposal includes a 20 percent salary increase in the first year, higher per-diem pay, additional off days, and improved equipment standards.

The strike follows a vote earlier this month by players represented by the Professional Hockey Players’ Association to authorize labor action. Players cited concerns over pay, scheduling, and working conditions, as well as what they describe as unfair labor practices.

The strike officially took effect December 26, landing in the middle of the ECHL season.

As soon as we hear more updates from the team about the upcoming game schedule we will update this story.

ORIGINAL REPORTING:
The Professional Hockey Players' Association announced Monday that its ECHL membership has served a strike notice effective Dec. 26, following months of contentious negotiations with the league.

The union's ECHL players voted to authorize a strike on Dec. 18, citing what they call ongoing unfair labor practices by the league that have undermined collective bargaining efforts.

"We have informed the ECHL that we are willing to continue discussions to resolve all outstanding matters," PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay said. "For several months, we have been engaged in bargaining with the league, and their unlawful and coercive conduct throughout this process has been incredibly disappointing."

The PHPA claims the league made unilateral changes to mandatory bargaining subjects dating back to late spring and early summer, prompting the union to file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board.

Ramsay said the union is seeking "basic standards around health, safety and working conditions that allow the players to remain healthy, compete at a high level and build sustainable professional careers."

The ECHL responded with its own statement emphasizing efforts to reach an agreement, while warning of the strike's potential impact.

"Our focus remains on reaching an agreement that increases player compensation, improves health and safety, and ensures we continue to put a competitive, fun, and sustainable product on the ice," the league said. "This is why we've offered to increase player salaries by 27% over a five-year term, including a 16.4% increase in the first year, boost the per-diem rate, guarantee more off days, and invest in specific player equipment."

The league cautioned that a strike "would hurt everyone, including both the fans and the players themselves, who would stop getting paid, and lose housing and medical benefits."

Both sides expressed willingness to continue negotiations, with Ramsay stating that union members "remain ready to return to the bargaining table at any time."

The ECHL said it believes "the players would much prefer to continue playing and supporting the fans and communities we serve while we work through negotiations."

The strike notice comes during the middle of the ECHL season, potentially disrupting games and affecting fans across multiple markets if negotiations fail to produce an agreement before the Dec. 26 deadline.

The Everblades have five consecutive home games starting the day after the first day of the strike.

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