In a historic move, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) have joined the AFL-CIO and its Sports Council, marking yet another significant expansion of the labor federation to 63 affiliated unions representing over 15 million workers.
The NHLPA, which represents roughly 750 players across 32 NHL teams, and the PHPA, representing about 1,800 players across 61 teams in the American Hockey League and ECHL, bring new voices to the AFL-CIO’s push for stronger union contracts, fair wages, and safer working conditions. “Whether our work is on the rink, in the classroom or on the factory floor, every worker deserves a voice on the job,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, emphasizing the broader benefits of union solidarity.
This latest affiliation follows SEIU’s move in early January, further uniting the labor movement. As both hockey associations gear up for upcoming collective bargaining negotiations, they will now have the full support of the AFL-CIO at the bargaining table. The AFL-CIO Sports Council, established in 2022, continues to build power across the sports industry by aligning the interests of athletes with other workers in fields such as hospitality and service.
With this groundbreaking development, professional hockey players are not only set to bolster their working conditions and professional opportunities but also contribute to a broader wave of labor solidarity across North America.