The US women’s hockey team might be getting support in its quest for equitable pay from the men who wear the same jersey.
Allan Walsh, a well-connected hockey agent, disclosed Sunday on Twitter that American NHL players are thinking about refusing to play in their own world championships in solidarity if the women’s dispute with USA Hockey isn’t resolved.
The US women’s team has become a pro-labor vanguard in the sports world in recent weeks by committing to its vow to boycott the world championships, which begin this week in Michigan, if the gender gaps in the national hockey infrastructure are not improved. The men’s world championships are set for early May in France and Germany.
The women’s team met Sunday night to discuss its plan for a meeting with USA Hockey’s board of directors on Monday. The players hope USA Hockey will agree to negotiating terms set out recently in Philadelphia to improve their meager financial compensation.
Athletes’ unions across the continent have voiced their support of the women’s team, urging other players to turn down USA Hockey’s overtures to act as replacement players.
With the women’s tournament set to begin Friday, that search for “scab” players is getting desperate.
With AP