ECHL strike update is big news in labor dispute with players

The ECHL strike saga may be nearing a conclusion.

It's big news this weekend after a labor dispute between the league and its players.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday night that the ECHL and its players association are in "tentative agreement to end the strike."

Friedman added that the deal still needs official from both sides but that it's a "big breakthrough."

The strike commenced at 12 noon on Friday.

All the games scheduled for that night were postponed.

Teams had announced plans to bring in other players to keep playing games.

The players were seeking what they call "fair standards" for working conditions.

Players in the ECHL have complained about helmets not fitting properly and about being supplied with used equipment.

Teams were off from Dec. 21, which created a bit of a negotiating period, but games were then missed on Friday when the strike commenced.

Friedman's update suggests that the strike may soon be over, relatively quickly, hopefully with a deal everyone can feel decent about.

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