NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement

540 Pages·2013·11.13 MB·English

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
BETWEEN NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE AND
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION

FEBRUARY 15, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE ....................................................................................................................................1
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................2
ARTICLE 2 RECOGNITION .............................................................................................................10
2.1 Recognition ............................................................................................................10
2.2 NHLPA Meetings ..................................................................................................10
2.3 NHLPA Access ......................................................................................................10
ARTICLE 3 DURATION OF AGREEMENT ........................................................................................11
3.1 Term .......................................................................................................................11
3.2 Binding Agreement ................................................................................................11
ARTICLE 4 UNION SECURITY AND CHECK-OFF ............................................................................12
4.1 Membership ...........................................................................................................12
4.2 Check-off ...............................................................................................................12
4.3 Indemnification ......................................................................................................12
ARTICLE 5 MANAGEMENT RIGHTS ...............................................................................................13
ARTICLE 6 NHLPA AGENT CERTIFICATION ................................................................................14
6.1 Exclusive Representation .......................................................................................14
6.2 Player SPCs ............................................................................................................14
6.3 Indemnification ......................................................................................................14
6.4 Agent Certification Program ..................................................................................14
6.5 No Amendment ......................................................................................................14
ARTICLE 7 NO STRIKE, NO DISCRIMINATION AND OTHER UNDERTAKINGS .................................15
7.1 No Strike or Lockout .............................................................................................15
7.2 No Discrimination ..................................................................................................15
7.3 No Player Negotiations with Another Club ...........................................................15
ARTICLE 8 ENTRY DRAFT ............................................................................................................16
8.1 General ...................................................................................................................16
8.2 Draft Choices .........................................................................................................16
8.3 Compensatory Draft Selections .............................................................................16
8.4 Eligibility for Claim ...............................................................................................16
8.5 Order of Selection ..................................................................................................16
8.6 Reserve List-Exclusive Rights ...............................................................................17
(a) Exclusive Rights ........................................................................................17
(b) Drafted Players who Leave the Major Juniors prior to age 20 ..................17
(c) College Players. .........................................................................................18
(d) Players Drafted from a Club Outside North America. ...............................20
(e) Bona Fide Offer .........................................................................................21
(f) Removal .....................................................................................................21
8.7 Age 18 and 19 Players ...........................................................................................21
8.8 Assignment of Rights .............................................................................................21
8.9 Eligibility for Play in the League ...........................................................................21
8.10 Age of Players ........................................................................................................22
8.11 NHLPA Meeting at Pre-Draft Combine ................................................................22
ARTICLE 9 ENTRY LEVEL COMPENSATION...................................................................................23
9.1 Applicability and Duration ....................................................................................23
9.2 Age of Players ........................................................................................................24
9.3 Entry Level Compensation Limits .........................................................................24
9.4 Minor League Compensation .................................................................................25
9.5 Exhibit 5 Performance Bonuses .............................................................................26
9.6 Loans to East Coast Hockey League .....................................................................26
9.7 Games Played Bonuses for Group 1 Players .........................................................26
ARTICLE 10 FREE AGENCY ..........................................................................................................28
10.1 Unrestricted Free Agents .......................................................................................28
(a) Group 3 Players and Free Agents. .............................................................28
(b) Group 5 Free Agents ..................................................................................28
(c) Group 6 Free Agents ..................................................................................29
(d) Draft-Related Unrestricted Free Agents. ...................................................29
10.2 Restricted Free Agents ...........................................................................................30
(a) Group 2 Players and Free Agents. .............................................................30
(b) Group 4 Free Agents ..................................................................................32
(c) Players With Fewer Than Three Years of Professional Experience. .........35
10.3 Offer Sheet and First Refusal Procedures ..............................................................35
10.4 Draft Choice Compensation for Restricted Free Agents .......................................38
ARTICLE 11 RULES AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING STANDARD PLAYER'S CONTRACT ................40
11.1 Standard Player's Contract, Amateur Try-Out Agreement, Professional
Try-Out Agreement ................................................................................................40
(a) Standard Player's Contract .........................................................................40
(b) Amateur Try-Out Agreement .....................................................................40
(c) Goaltender Professional Try-Out Agreement ............................................40
(d) Mutual Disclosure ......................................................................................40
11.2 Impartial Arbitrator/System Arbitrator ..................................................................40
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11.3 Validity and Enforceability ....................................................................................41
11.4 Signing Deadline for Group 2 Free Agent .............................................................41
11.5 Filing and Approval Process. .................................................................................41
11.6 Rejection of SPCs and/or Offer Sheets; Subsequent Challenge and/or De-
Registration of SPCs and/or Offer Sheets ..............................................................42
(a) Rejection of SPCs and/or Offer Sheets ......................................................42
(b) Subsequent Challenge and/or De-Registration of SPCs ............................45
11.7 Team and Performance Bonuses ............................................................................48
11.8 Individually Negotiated Limitations on Player Movement ...................................48
11.9 General ...................................................................................................................48
11.10 No Renegotiation ...................................................................................................49
11.11 Conformity .............................................................................................................49
11.12 Minimum Paragraph 1 Salary ................................................................................49
11.13 Option Clauses/Voidable Years .............................................................................50
11.14 No Liability for Compensation ..............................................................................50
11.15 Default....................................................................................................................50
11.16 Sale of SPCs ...........................................................................................................51
11.17 Currency .................................................................................................................51
11.18 Ordinary Course Buy-Outs Outside the Regular Period ........................................51
11.19 Loan to Clubs Outside North America ..................................................................52
11.20 Registration of SPCs for Players with Possible Contractual Obligations
Outside North America ..........................................................................................52
11.21 Deferred Compensation-Related Amendments to SPCs and this
Agreement ..............................................................................................................53
ARTICLE 12 SALARY ARBITRATION .............................................................................................57
12.1 Eligibility for Player or Club Election of Salary Arbitration .................................57
12.2 Notice of Player Election of Salary Arbitration .....................................................57
12.3 Eligibility for Club-Elected Salary Arbitration......................................................57
12.4 Notice of Club Election .........................................................................................59
12.5 Procedural Issues ...................................................................................................59
12.6 Selection of Salary Arbitrators ...............................................................................60
12.7 Scheduling..............................................................................................................60
12.8 Termination of Salary Arbitrator(s) .......................................................................61
12.9 Rules of Procedure .................................................................................................61
(a) Attendance at Hearings. .............................................................................61
(b) Written Submission. ...................................................................................61
(c) Election of Term. .......................................................................................62
(d) Conduct of the Hearings. ...........................................................................62
(e) Participation at the Hearings. .....................................................................63
(f) Salary Arbitration in the Absence of a Party. ............................................63
(g) Evidence. ....................................................................................................63
(h) Statistics. ....................................................................................................66
(i) Testimony. .................................................................................................67
(j) Transcripts..................................................................................................67
(k) Order of Proceedings. ................................................................................67
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(l) Reopening of Hearings. .............................................................................67
(m) Continuance, Adjournments or Postponements. ........................................68
(n) Salary Arbitration Decision. ......................................................................68
(o) Expenses. ...................................................................................................68
(p) Communications with the Salary Arbitrator. .............................................68
(q) Publicity. ....................................................................................................69
12.10 Walk-Away Rights for Player-Elected Salary Arbitration ....................................69
ARTICLE 13 WAIVERS AND LOANS OF PLAYERS TO MINOR LEAGUE CLUBS ................................71
13.1 General ...................................................................................................................71
13.2 Playing Season Waiver Period ...............................................................................71
13.3 Intentionally Omitted .............................................................................................71
13.4 Exempt Players ......................................................................................................71
13.5 Waiver Expiration ..................................................................................................73
13.6 Disabled Player Loan to Minor Leagues ...............................................................74
13.7 Expansion Draft, Team Relocation ........................................................................74
13.8 Conditioning Loan .................................................................................................74
13.9 Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan .....................74
13.10 Recognition of Minor League ................................................................................75
13.11 No Loans to East Coast Hockey League................................................................75
13.12 Transfers To/From Minors .....................................................................................75
13.13 Waiver Notification ...............................................................................................78
13.14 Transfer Form ........................................................................................................79
13.15 Intentionally Omitted .............................................................................................79
13.16 Waiver Prices .........................................................................................................79
13.17 Waiver Requests ....................................................................................................80
13.18 Schedule for Waiver Requests ...............................................................................80
13.19 Priority for Waiver Claim(s) ..................................................................................81
13.20 Waiver Claim for Player(s) Not Physically Fit; Trade Restrictions of
Claimed Player(s) ...................................................................................................81
(a) Waiver Claim for Player(s) Not Physically Fit ..........................................81
(b) Trade Restrictions of Claimed Player(s) ....................................................81
13.21 Unconditional Waivers for Terminating a Player's SPC .......................................82
13.22 Players Waived by Club and Subsequently Reclaimed Via Waivers During
Same Season ..........................................................................................................82
13.23 Waivers for Players Who Play in League Outside North America After
Start of NHL Regular Season ................................................................................82
ARTICLE 14 REIMBURSEMENT AND BENEFITS FOR TRANSFERRED PLAYER .................................83
14.1 General ...................................................................................................................83
14.2 Rent/Mortgage Expenses .......................................................................................83
14.3 Moving Expenses ...................................................................................................87
14.4 Hotel Accommodations .........................................................................................88
14.5 Per Diem and Rental Car .......................................................................................88
14.6 Satisfactory Proof and Deductions .........................................................................88
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14.7 Spousal Airfare ......................................................................................................89
14.8 Reporting Time ......................................................................................................89
ARTICLE 15 TRAINING CAMP; TRAVEL EXPENSES .......................................................................90
15.1 Travel Expenses .....................................................................................................90
15.2 Per Diems, Lodging and Meals ..............................................................................91
15.3 Duration of Training Camp; Rules for Exhibition Games and Practices ...............91
15.4 Exhibition Games ...................................................................................................92
15.5 Training Camp Outside of North America ............................................................92
15.6 Players Injured During Training Camp..................................................................92
15.7 Entitlement to Obtain a Residence. ........................................................................94
15.8 50-Game Players Participating in Minor League Exhibition Games .....................94
15.9 Fitness Testing .......................................................................................................95
15.10 Conditioning Camp ................................................................................................95
15.11 No Conditioning Camp ..........................................................................................96
15.12 Rookie Orientation Program ..................................................................................96
15.13 Absence from Training Camp ................................................................................96
ARTICLE 16 LEAGUE SCHEDULE; PLAYING ROSTERS; RESERVE LISTS; PRACTICE
SESSIONS ..........................................................................................................................100
16.1 League Schedule ..................................................................................................100
16.2 Playoff Games ......................................................................................................100
16.3 Length of Season, Balance and Consistency .......................................................100
16.4 Active Roster Size; Playing Roster ......................................................................101
16.5 Monthly Schedules; Restricted Days ...................................................................101
16.6 Practice Sessions ..................................................................................................102
16.7 Game Times .........................................................................................................102
16.8 Travel Requirements ............................................................................................102
16.9 Single Room Accommodations ...........................................................................103
16.10 Intentionally Omitted ...........................................................................................103
16.11 Injured Reserve List/Injured Non-Roster .............................................................103
16.12 Non-Roster Player ................................................................................................104
16.13 Goaltender Exemption .........................................................................................105
16.14 Goaltender Professional Try-Out Agreement ......................................................107
16.15 All-Star Game ......................................................................................................108
ARTICLE 17 GRIEVANCES, ARBITRATION, IMPARTIAL ARBITRATOR ..........................................109
17.1 Grievance .............................................................................................................109
17.2 Initiation ...............................................................................................................109
17.3 Filing ....................................................................................................................109
17.4 Grievance Committee ..........................................................................................109
17.5 Arbitration ............................................................................................................110
17.6 Selection of Impartial Arbitrator ..........................................................................110
17.7 Procedures for Determining Fitness to Play ........................................................110
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17.8 Pre-Hearing Disclosure Statements .....................................................................113
17.9 Hearing .................................................................................................................113
17.10 Hearing Dates.......................................................................................................114
17.11 Medical Evidence Procedures ..............................................................................114
17.12 Transcripts............................................................................................................114
17.13 Arbitrator's Decision and Award .........................................................................114
17.14 Time Limits ..........................................................................................................114
17.15 Fees and Costs......................................................................................................115
17.16 Payment................................................................................................................115
17.17 Expedited Arbitration ...........................................................................................115
17.18 Transfer of Grievance to System Arbitrator ........................................................115
ARTICLE 18 SUPPLEMENTARY DISCIPLINE FOR ON-ICE CONDUCT ............................................116
18.1 Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct ....................................................116
18.2 General .................................................................................................................116
18.3 Preliminary Review .............................................................................................116
18.4 Evidence ...............................................................................................................117
18.5 Disciplinary Alternatives .....................................................................................118
18.6 Notice of Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct ....................................118
18.7 Fines .....................................................................................................................118
18.8 Telephonic Hearings (0-5 Games) .......................................................................119
18.9 In-Person Hearing (6 or More Games) ................................................................119
18.10 Timing of Suspensions .........................................................................................120
18.11 Decision of League ..............................................................................................120
18.12 Appeal to Commissioner......................................................................................120
18.13 Appeals to Neutral Discipline Arbitrator .............................................................121
18.14 Appointment of Neutral Discipline Arbitrator .....................................................121
18.15 Forfeiture of Compensation Upon Suspension ....................................................122
18.16 Use of Fine Money and Forfeited Salary .............................................................122
18.17 Appeal of Automatic Suspension Arising from Violation of Playing Rules .......122
18.18 Public Comment...................................................................................................123
18.19 Criminal Investigation .........................................................................................123
18.20 Educational Videos ..............................................................................................123
18.21 Explanatory Notice to Players .............................................................................123
ARTICLE 18-A COMMISSIONER DISCIPLINE FOR OFF-ICE CONDUCT .........................................124
18-A.1 Commissioner Discipline for Off-Ice Conduct ....................................................124
18-A.2 Commissioner Authority to Impose Discipline for Off-Ice Conduct ..................124
18-A.3 Procedures for Commissioner Discipline for Off-Ice Conduct ...........................124
(a) League Investigation ................................................................................124
(b) Pre-Hearing Disclosures ..........................................................................125
(c) Timing of Hearings ..................................................................................125
(d) Right to a Hearing ....................................................................................125
(e) Pre-Hearing Public Statements by the League .........................................126
(f) Prohibition on Ex Parte Contact ..............................................................126
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18-A.4 Appeal from Commissioner Determination .........................................................126
18-A.5 Criminal Investigation .........................................................................................127
18-A.6 Use of Fine Money and Forfeited Salary .............................................................127
ARTICLE 19 PER DIEM ALLOWANCE; EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT .............................................128
ARTICLE 20 GAME TICKETS .......................................................................................................130
ARTICLE 21 PENSION PLANS ......................................................................................................131
21.1 Benefit Plans ........................................................................................................131
21.2 Benefits Committee .............................................................................................131
21.3 Amendment ..........................................................................................................131
21.4 Retirement Plan ....................................................................................................131
21.5 Retirement Plan Effective Date ...........................................................................132
21.6 Plan Year ..............................................................................................................132
21.7 Funding Obligations.............................................................................................132
21.8 Cap on Liability ...................................................................................................132
21.9 Benefits Trust .......................................................................................................133
21.10 Investment Policy.................................................................................................133
21.11 Retirement Plan Obligations ................................................................................133
(a) Annual Funding Obligations. ...................................................................133
(b) Reconciliation Funding ............................................................................134
(c) Funding of the True-Up Amounts. ...........................................................136
(d) Survivability .............................................................................................137
21.12 Expiration of the CBA .........................................................................................137
(a) Freeze of the Plan .....................................................................................138
(b) Termination of the Plan ...........................................................................138
(c) Termination Amount ................................................................................138
(d) Significant Change ...................................................................................140
(e) Survivability .............................................................................................140
21.13 Eligibility .............................................................................................................140
21.14 Credited Service ...................................................................................................140
21.15 Normal Retirement Date ......................................................................................141
21.16 Pension Benefits...................................................................................................141
(a) Full NHL Service .....................................................................................141
(b) Partial NHL Service .................................................................................142
21.17 Form of Benefits ..................................................................................................143
21.18 Disability Benefits ...............................................................................................143
21.19 Existing Pension Plans and New Canadian Savings Plan ....................................143
21.20 Participant Contributions .....................................................................................144
21.21 Distributions, Withdrawals, and Loans ................................................................144
21.22 Benefits Under Prior CBAs or Pension Plans ......................................................144
21.23 Investments of New and Existing Account Balances ..........................................144
21.24 Additional Plan Terms .........................................................................................145
ARTICLE 22 COMPETITION COMMITTEE .....................................................................................146
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22.1 Establishment of Committee; Issues to Be Considered .......................................146
22.2 Composition of Committee ..................................................................................146
22.3 Committee Meetings ............................................................................................146
22.4 Role and Purpose of Committee ..........................................................................146
22.5 Meeting Agendas .................................................................................................146
22.6 Committee Recommendations .............................................................................146
22.7 Standard for Challenging Approved Recommendations .....................................147
22.8 Availability of League Hockey Operations/Officiating Representatives ............147
ARTICLE 23 INSURANCE COVERAGES ........................................................................................148
23.1 Administration of Benefits ...................................................................................148
23.2 Life, AD&D and Spousal Life Policy ..................................................................148
23.3 Career-Ending Disability Policy ..........................................................................149
23.4 SPC Paragraph 1 Salary and Bonuses While Disabled ........................................151
23.5 Group Health Benefits Plan .................................................................................151
23.6 Player Right to Continue Coverage .....................................................................151
23.7 Health Benefits Enhancements ............................................................................152
23.8 Off-Season Coverage ...........................................................................................153
23.9 Coverage During Conditioning Camp and/or Training Camp .............................153
23.10 Exit Physical; Future Treatment of Hockey-Related Injuries ..............................153
23.11 NHL Central Contact Person ...............................................................................153
ARTICLE 24 INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY ......................................................................................154
24.1 International Committee; International Hockey Games ......................................154
24.2 Composition of International Committee ............................................................154
24.3 Authority of International Committee .................................................................154
24.4 Player Participation in International Hockey Games ...........................................155
24.5 NHL-NHLPA International Hockey Planning .....................................................155
24.6 IIHF World Championships .................................................................................155
24.7 Injuries During IIHF World Championships .......................................................155
24.8 Travel for International Hockey Games ..............................................................156
24.9 Loans During International Hockey Games ........................................................156
ARTICLE 25 ENDORSEMENTS; SPONSORSHIPS; LICENSING .........................................................157
25.1 No Player Endorsement or Sponsorship of Alcoholic Beverages and/or
Tobacco Products .................................................................................................157
25.2 Use of Club Name and Insignia by Player ...........................................................157
25.3 Use of Player Name or Likeness by League or Club ...........................................157
25.4 NHLPA Use of League or Club Insignia .............................................................157
25.5 NHLPA and NHL Acknowledgements ...............................................................157
25.6 NHLPA Group License; NHL Enterprises Master License .................................158
ARTICLE 26 NO CIRCUMVENTION ..............................................................................................159
Preamble ..........................................................................................................................159
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