Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: Professional Hockey Players’ Association
Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: Professional Hockey Players’ Association
This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 64 of our affiliates. Next up is the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA).
Mission: The PHPA operates under a mission focused on enhancing and protecting players’ rights as members pursue careers in professional hockey. Its primary functions include the following: Collective bargaining: Negotiating terms of employment, including salaries, health and welfare benefits, and playing conditions. Player advocacy: Protecting members’ interests and providing legal and professional guidance. Quality of life: Enhancing the off-ice well-being of players and their families through dedicated support programs.Current Union Leadership: Elected players serving as the AHL Executive are Chris Terry, Chase Wouters, Joe Hicketts, Jimmy Schuldt, and Jarred Tinordi. Elected players serving as the ECHL Executive are Todd Skirving, Logan Lambdin, Justin Vaive and Justin Taylor. The executive director is Brian Ramsay.Current Number of Members: 1,800+Members Work As: Professional hockey playersIndustries Represented: The American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHLHistory: The Professional Hockey Players’ Association was founded in 1967 in Portland, Oregon, when members of the Portland Buckaroos (of the now-defunct Western Hockey League) recognized that Canadians who played hockey in the United States and started families needed to send their wives back to Canada for babies’ births because the United States did not have a health plan that would cover the medical expenses. Several Buckaroos players, including Doug Messier and Arlo Goodwin, retained attorney Curt Leichner as their legal counsel so they could form a Western Hockey League (WHL) Players Association and secure group pension and health care plans, improving benefits through collective bargaining. Over the course of the 1967–68 season, players from the AHL saw the benefit of forming a benevolent society of their own and approached their WHL counterparts with the vision of creating a single players’ association that would represent all professional hockey players outside of the National Hockey League (NHL). On May 20, 1968, WHL and AHL players voted to form the Professional Hockey Players’ Association.Since then, the PHPA has expanded to include representation of players in the former Central Hockey League (CHL) from 1974–84 and 2008–14, the former International Hockey League (IHL) from 1985–2001, and the ECHL since the 1995–96 season. The PHPA is now recognized as one of the oldest and largest players’ associations in professional sports, representing more than 1,800 members across 60 teams throughout the AHL and ECHL. The PHPA also boasts an alumni network of more than 10,000 former PHPA members.Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The Grow with the Pros! Mentor Program provides players for minor hockey teams with a one-of-a-kind hockey experience to develop on and off the ice. The Professional Hockey Players’ Guild is a comprehensive new resource initiative designed to support players throughout every stage of their career and prepare them for a career after hockey. It includes four core pillars of support: education, career, health and wellness, and perks. The PHPA Alumni Network is available to all PHPA alumni to assist former players in their post-hockey careers while offering unique access to PHPA resources, contacts and exclusive offers extended through PHPA corporate partner programs. Through the Group Licensing Authorization Program, the PHPA licenses the use of all authorized members’ names and likenesses to approved licensees to produce products such as trading cards, video games and photographs, as well as other collectibles and novelties. The PHPA Panel of Workers’ Compensation Attorneys is dedicated to providing professional legal services to injured players to ensure they can recover the maximum medical and disability benefits available. The PHPA Curt Leichner Distinguished Member Award is presented each year to a deserving recipient who has made significant contributions to the advancement of professional minor league hockey.The PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives is a weeklong series of meetings in which one player representative from each AHL and ECHL team and executive committee members, PHPA staff and advisers review the association’s operations during past year, plan for the upcoming season, and provide input and direction with respect to long-term strategic objectives.Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X
Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The Grow with the Pros! Mentor Program provides players for minor hockey teams a one-of-a-kind hockey experience to develop on and off the ice. The PHPA GUILD is a comprehensive new resource initiative designed to support players throughout every stage of their career, and prepare you for a career after hockey. It includes four core pillars of support including education, career, health and wellness, and perks. The PHPA Alumni Network is available to all PHPA Alumni, designed to assist former players in their post-hockey career, while offering unique access to PHPA resources, contacts, and exclusive offers extended through the PHPA’s corporate partner programs. Through the Group Licensing Authorization Program, the PHPA licenses the use of all authorized members’ names and likenesses to approved licensees, in order to produce products such as trading cards, video games, photographs, as well as other collectibles and novelties. The PHPA Panel of Workers’ Compensation Attorneys is dedicated to providing professional legal services to injured players in order to assure the recovery of maximum medical and disability benefits. The PHPA Curt Leichner Distinguished Member Award is presented each year to a deserving recipient who has made significant contributions toward the advancement of professional minor league hockey.The PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives is a week-long series of meetings where one player representative from each AHL and ECHL team, along with executive committee members, PHPA staff, and advisors review the Association’s operations during past year, plan for the upcoming season, and provide input and direction with respect to long-term strategic objectives.Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 02/09/2026 – 13:55
IAM Union Helps Power Young Workers March in D.C.
IAM members joined hundreds of fired-up labor activists for a march in Washington, D.C. that called attention to struggling young American workers who are often overworked, underpaid and burdened by an unfair, rigged economy.
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Black History Month Profiles: Charlotte James
Black History Month Profiles: Charlotte James
For Black History Month, we’re taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today’s profile is Charlotte James of AFSCME.
Charlotte James, a member of AFSCME District 1199C, is a mental health technician in the Temple University Health System at Episcopal Campus Inpatient Behavioral Health and Psychiatric Medicine. For a decade, she has stabilized patients in acute psychiatric crisis at one of the region’s few emergency mental health units. When she’s not caring for patients, James advocates for their access to care, traveling to Washington, D.C., trying to protect funding for mental health services.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 02/09/2026 – 10:10
Tags:
Black History Month
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: The Columbus Dispatch Newsroom Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Organize
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: The Columbus Dispatch Newsroom Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Organize
Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Newsroom workers at The Columbus Dispatch and Newark Advocate overwhelmingly voted to organize with The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA), with a vote of 33-5 in favor.The journalists are fighting for equitable pay, protections from layoffs and for the future of journalism in central Ohio.“For too long, Ohio’s greatest home newspaper has hemorrhaged great journalists due to short-sighted cuts by our corporate owner,” said Jordan Laird, a Dispatch news reporter. “Now, we’re taking some power back.”“The employees of The Dispatch are seizing this moment to fight for a work culture and the job benefits that we deserve,” said Adam Cairns, a Dispatch photojournalist. “We can no longer afford to sit back and wait for these changes to happen on their own.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 02/09/2026 – 09:49
Tags:
Organizing
UAW Convenes for Day 1 of 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C
The UAW kicked off its biannual Community Action Program (CAP) Conference in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, bringing together nearly 1,000 union members from across the country to strategize and build power for the working class.
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Workers at Grecian Delight Kronos Join Teamsters
(GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill.) – More than 180 workers at Grecian Delight Kronos have voted to join Teamsters Local 710. The production, warehouse, sanitation, and quality assurance workers are seeking better wages, stronger benefits, and improved working conditions.
“This company tried but failed to block these workers from exercising their federally protected right to form a union,” said Mike Cales, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 710. “Our new members overcame a relentless anti-union campaign, and we look forward to helping them in negotiations to win a strong contract.”
Shippers and receivers at Grecian Delight Kronos have been represented by Local 710 for over 25 years, and the contract protections they enjoy were a major catalyst for the latest organizing effort. With the election now certified, preperations to negotiate a first contract are underway.
“As companies consolidate and squeeze workers harder, more people are realizing they need a real voice on the shop floor,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “These workers stood strong, they won, and now they’re ready to bargain for the wages, benefits, and respect they deserve.”
“When Grecian Delight bought Kronos, everything changed for the worse. Only after they learned we were holding a union election did they suddenly pretend to ‘hear our concerns.’ Management hired union busters and did everything they could to stop us from becoming Teamsters, but we succeeded,” said Maria Flores, a worker at Grecian Delight Kronos and a new member of Local 710.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Ongoing Enhancements to the APWU Electronic Grievance System
Industrial Relations Director Charlie Cash is pleased to announce improvements to the APWU Electronic Grievance System (EGS). The use of EGS continues to grow year after year. APWU locals can use the system to create grievances, file grievances electronically, request and exchange information with the Postal Service, keep grievants notified of the status of their […]
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🎉 IAM UNION ON THE HILL: IAM Member Taylor Rehmet Wins Big
Click Here to view this edition of IAM UNION on the Hill.
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Super Bowl 2026, Brought to You by Unions
Super Bowl 2026, Brought to You by Unions
IBEW
In addition to being the most-watched televised event of the year, the Super Bowl represents the hard work of thousands of union members. We want to recognize the working people that bring Super Bowl Sunday to millions of people around the world every year.
In addition to being the most-watched televised event of the year, the Super Bowl represents the hard work of thousands of union members. This includes not only the union members who everyone sees, like the players (NFLPA) and the referees (NFLRA), but also the announcers, musicians, and food, transportation and hotel workers, and many more. We want to recognize the many unions that bring Super Bowl Sunday to millions of people around the world every year.On the Field of PlayNFL Players Association (NFLPA)NFL Referees Association (NFLRA)Performers, Announcers, Camera Operators, Technicians, Field Workers and Other Hardworking FolksSAG-AFTRA broadcast announcers from NBC Sports will provide live coverageSAG-AFTRA member Bad Bunny will headline the halftime show, joined by Celimar Rivera Cosme for Puerto Rican Sign Language (PRSL)SAG-AFTRA and American Federation of Musicians (AFM) member Charlie Puth will perform the national anthem, joined by Fred Beam for American Sign Language (ASL) interpretationSAG-AFTRA members of Green Day will perform at the opening ceremonySAG-AFTRA member Brandi Carlile will perform “America the Beautiful,” joined by deaf performer Julian Ortiz for ASL and PRSL interpretationSAG-AFTRA member Coco Jones will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthemSkilled IATSE craftspeople will work on the the sets, lighting, equipment and more to create the Super Bowl Half Time show.Stadium ConstructionLevi’s Stadium was completed in summer of 2014 with 100% union labor, from construction to concessions.That includes United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) Local 393 in San Jose, who completed the plumbing, pipe fitting, sprinkler system and HVAC.Official FootballThe leather for every single NFL football, including the ones that will be used in Sunday’s Super Bowl, was crafted by members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1546 who work at Horween Leather Co. in Chicago.After UFCW members finish processing the leather, members of Workers United Local 1385, an SEIU affiliate, hand make all NFL footballs, including the Super Bowl footballs used at the game, in Ada, Ohio. FoodNearly 500 UNITE HERE Local 2 members working in food and beverage concessions at Levi’s Stadium will keep fans fed and hydrated.JournalistsThousands of reporters and members of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA) will attend the Super Bowl this year and cover the event. There will be countless photographers, videographers and other professionals who will work behind the scenes to provide news coverage.Local TransportationTransport Workers Union (TWU)Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) members across the Bay Area will transport people to Levi’s Stadium via BART and VTA light rail.International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE)International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)HotelsUNITE HERESEIUTravelAssociation of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) members work at Omni Air (New England Patriots’ official charter) and Delta Air Lines flight attendants organizing with AFA-CWA fly the Seattle Seahawks and get attendees safely to game day.iAM Union (IAM) members work at most of the major airlines and help fans and others get to and from the game on several carriers.Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) members are proud to safely fly the players and fans of both teams for the big game.As soon as the Super Bowl city was announced, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) and National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) members at the Federal Aviation Administration started working with the NFL on flight plans and restricted airspace around the stadium. Technicians and air traffic controllers are pulling extra shifts all week at the San Francisco International Airport, San José Mineta International Airport, Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport and surrounding airports, and the air traffic control facilities in Northern California. There are more controllers and aviation safety professionals on hand in San Jose and San Francisco, as well as at smaller airports, to ensure all private jets are legally registered and additional flights can be accommodated.Transportation security officers, who are members of AFGE, ensure the safety of America’s flying public, including the increased traffic of folks who fly in for the Super Bowl.Transport Workers Union (TWU) members help maintain the planes. In addition, TWU has members who work at the airport and represent aircraft mechanics, flight attendants, fleet service workers, flight technicians, customer service workers, air dispatchers and others at airlines that will transport fans to the game.
Audrey Edmonds
Fri, 02/06/2026 – 15:13
UAW Endorses Independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska U.S. Senate Race
The UAW has voted to endorse Dan Osborn, an Independent candidate for U.S. Senate from Nebraska.
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