Iowa Heartlanders home game Friday postponed as ECHL hockey players go on strike

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Iowa Heartlanders postponed their home game Friday night at Xtream Arena against Bloomington, as ECHL hockey players officially went on strike.

The Professional Hockey Players’ Association, which represents players in the ECHL and American Hockey League (considered a level above the ECHL in minor league hockey) announced last week that ECHL players would strike Friday at noon Eastern Time if a new collective bargaining agreement with the league was not reached.

The ECHL announced early Friday afternoon the postponement of all 13 games scheduled for Friday night. The league consists of 30 teams, stretching from coast to coast and in Canada.

“Unfortunately union leaders deprived players of the opportunity to vote on our last, best and final offer — an offer that would dramatically raise player salaries by 20 percent in the first year, boost the per-diem rate, guarantee more off days and expand the top-of-the-line equipment available to players,” the ECHL said in a statement. “We did everything possible to avoid this outcome, and hope that the union leadership and its unworkable scheduling demands let the players vote on our offer, and make it possible for players to return to work.”

“Our members are simply seeking reasonable improvements that allow them to work safely and earn a sustainable living while continuing to perform at a high level. We remain ready to continue discussions with the league to reach a fair agreement,” PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay said in a statement. “Despite the union’s repeated efforts to meet and engage in bargaining, the league has continued to communicate directly with players in a manner that bypasses the union’s role as the exclusive bargaining representative. We continue to receive thousands of messages of overwhelming support from our great fans, brothers and sisters in sport, active and retired players, and communities in and out of the labor movement across North America. They stand with us.”

The Heartlanders are scheduled to play games Saturday night and Sunday at Bloomington, Ill., the beginning of an eight-game road trip. When asked to comment Friday afternoon on the strike, the club referred to the ECHL’s statement.

Heartlanders players released a statement to fans Wednesday evening.

“By now, you’ve probably heard about the current situation in the ECHL. We wanted to speak to you directly, in our own words, where we stand,” it said. “First and most importantly, this has nothing to do with the Heartlanders organization. We love playing in Iowa and truly appreciate the support we get every time we step on the ice at Xtream Arena. Representing this team and this community means a lot to us, and we don’t take that for granted.

“This is about the league as a whole. As players, our careers can change overnight — sometimes without much notice. Because of that, we believe there should be fair and consistent standards across the ECHL when it comes to safety, housing, travel and pay, no matter where you play.

“The PHPA has been working toward an agreement that focuses on making the league better and more sustainable for everyone involved. Our goal is simple: to help build a stronger league and make sure the ECHL continues to be a place players are proud to be a part of. Most of all: thank you. Your support means more to us than you know, especially during times like this. We’re eager to get back on the ice and play for you as soon as possible.”

The sides have been working under the conditions of a CBA that expired in June while attempting to negotiate a new one. Warning signs first emerged in November when the PHPA sent an open letter to fans saying it and the ECHL were far apart on issues.

The PHPA then served a strike notice Sunday. The union is seeking higher wages for players and better working conditions that protect player health and optimize play.

The ECHL is notorious for its travel and three-in-three weekends, in which teams play Friday, Saturday and Sunday, weekend games being the most attractive to fans, of course. Many times those three-in-three weekends include games in three different cities.

Regarding pay, rookies in the league earn $530 a week, veteran players $575, with weekly salary caps for teams set with a floor of $11,110 and a cap of $14,600. League clubs pay for player housing and utilities costs, and provide medical and dental benefits in-season only.

The public vitriol between the sides has increased exponentially in the past week. Ramsay released a statement earlier this week, among other things saying he had sent a formal complaint to the National Labor Relations Board about the ECHL.

“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,” Ramsay said. “We are asking for 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 has countered the union’s claims with messaging of its own, including detailing what it said was its final offer to players. It includes a raise in the annual salary cap, mandatory weekly days off (including an immediate one after a three-in-three weekend) and a travel mileage limit for back-to-back games.

It should be noted this strike is of players who are only on ECHL contracts. Each ECHL club is an affiliate of a National Hockey League team and American Hockey League team: the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild in the case of the Heartlanders.

During a season, players under contract from Minnesota and the Iowa Wild can be assigned to the Heartlanders at any time. For instance, forward Elliot Desnoyers is on the current Heartlanders active roster as an AHL-contracted player.

Goaltender Riley Mercer has spent most of this season with the Heartlanders, though he is with the Iowa Wild right now. He is a contracted player of the Minnesota Wild.

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