On February 3rd, 2025, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (“NHLPA”) and Professional Hockey Players’ Association (“PHPA”) announced that they were joining the AFL-CIO.[1]
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (“AFL-CIO”) is a “democratically governed federation of [] unions, each with its own distinct membership and unique voice.”[2] The unions that make up the AFL-CIO “include more than 15 million working people” from across different industries.[3]
With the addition of the NHLPA, the number of union memberships in AFL-CIO grows to 63.[4] Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, expressed her excitement about the new partnership, stating, “[w]hether our work is on the rink, in the classroom or on the factory floor, every worker deserves a voice on the job and the power that comes with union membership.” [5]
So why join now? As negotiations on a new CBA heat up this spring, it appears that the players’ organizations want the most complete representation possible.
The NHLPA and PHPA have both underscored the importance of having AFL-CIO at the table during negotiations for the new CBA. Brian Ramsay, executive director of the PHPA, said, “[a]s we begin collective bargaining negotiations, our members will now enjoy the full support of the AFL-CIO at the bargaining table. This is what solidarity is all about.”[6] NHLPA executive director, Marty Walsh said that the NHLPA is “look[ing] forward to working together with other players’ associations and unions from across North America to ensure that workers in all industries have a collective voice in fighting for fair wages and safe and equitable workplaces.”[7]
In 2022, the AFL-CIO “formed a sports council” which included unions representing players in the NFL, WNBA, Major League Soccer, and National Women’s Soccer League.[8] The decision to join the AFL-CIO signals a continuation of support for the players and the goals of the union moving forward.
[1] https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/43683067/nhl-players-association-announces-joined-afl-cio
[2] https://aflcio.org/about-us/our-unions-and-allies
[3] Id.
[4] https://nhlpa.com/news/1-22802/hockey-players-unions-join-the-afl-cio
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] https://www.lmtonline.com/sports/article/nhl-players-association-and-professional-hockey-20145174.php