JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Icemen are moving forward with Friday night’s game, even as a potential league-wide strike is set to begin across the East Coast Hockey League.
The decision comes as the Professional Hockey Players’ Association has announced a strike deadline for Friday amid ongoing labor negotiations with the ECHL.
Despite the looming work stoppage, the Icemen are scheduled to host the Orlando Solar Bears, with players expected to take the ice as planned.
A spokesperson for the Jacksonville Icemen told News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee that the team is expected to play but could not comment on the ongoing labor negotiations.
The PHPA says the strike stems from what it calls ongoing unfair labor practices by the league.
The union says negotiations broke down after the ECHL made unilateral changes to mandatory bargaining subjects and engaged in regressive talks. An unfair labor practice charge has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
“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,” PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay said in a statement.
The ECHL disputes those claims. In a statement posted Wednesday, the league accused the union of misrepresenting its proposals and said it has made offers that would increase player compensation, improve health and safety, and support players both on and off the ice.
The league also warned that a strike could leave players without pay, housing or medical benefits, and said it is focused on avoiding a work stoppage while protecting the long-term stability of teams and the league.
Both sides say they remain willing to continue bargaining, but as the strike deadline arrives, uncertainty remains across the league.
For now, the Icemen are pressing ahead with Friday’s matchup, as negotiations continue behind the scenes.