Maine Mariners Strike Ends After Professional Hockey Players’ Association Ratifies New Contract
The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) announced last week that ECHL membership, including Maine Mariners players, ratified a new, five-year collective bargaining agreement with the ECHL, ending a brief two-day strike. The new five-year contract includes pay raises, better medical benefits and mandated rest periods, with regular days off following long road trips or games on consecutive days.
“This agreement reflects the unity, resolve, professionalism and discipline of our members throughout this process,” said PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay. “Meaningful progress was made in several key areas identified as priorities by our members, and this outcome would not have been possible without their engagement and support. On behalf of the PHPA, I want to thank our Bargaining Committee, our ECHL membership, and the PHPA staff for their work in reaching this agreement, as well as our brothers and sisters from the AFL-CIO, NHLPA, PWHLPA, NFLPA, and CFLPA, and labor organizations from across North America for their unwavering support.”
The day after Christmas, Maine Mariners players joined professional hockey players in the ECHL in a strike over workplace safety, travel and compensation. The strike postponed three Maine Mariners game, but a tentative agreement with the league was reached the day after the strike launched.
In a statement, the Maine Mariners Players said that teammates were beginning to pursue jobs outside of North America due to better wages and working conditions elsewhere in the world. However, they said the strike was not a reflection of any displeasure with the Maine Mariners or its owner, Dexter Paine, whom they say treats them fairly and provides them with quality equipment and housing.
“I think the biggest point I want to make is that our ownership does things the right way,” said Wyllum Deveaux, the Mariners’ captain and union rep. “We're very lucky to have Dexter Payne as an owner and he was on our side the whole way. He understood the problem and he wanted change as well. Unfortunately, some of the other owners in the league didn’t want to change and it took a strike to reach a deal and get them on board.”
Deveaux said the players and the league had previously agreed to a 20 percent pay raise, but could not come to agreement over health and safety improvements until they went on strike. Other teams have had trouble getting their owners to provide proper fitting helmets to ensure they are protected from potential head injuries. Under the agreement, players have the right to choose whatever helmet fits best so that they are not only protected, but comfortable on the ice. The players also won mileage limit between back-to-back games so that can get enough rest between games.
“This way you don't play at 7 p.m. one night, then have to travel 400 miles and play the next night on limited sleep on the bus,” said Deveaux. “That travel really heightens the risk of injury and in the long run it burdens owners with medical costs and workers comp, so the new contract benefits both players and owners.”
He said the wage improvements will help prevent players from seeking better opportunities in Europe or to other leagues that pay better.
“We as players don't make a ton of money, so it was a very stressful time and we want to express our appreciation to the Maine AFL-CIO, our fans, our ownership and our head coach, Rick Kowalsky, for their support and professionalism through the process. And at the end of the day, we also really appreciate the PHPA's work of having our best interests in mind, making sure the strike didn't go on too long and getting the players what we deserve.”