A work stoppage could be on the horizon for the Cincinnati Cyclones amid a labor dispute between the ECHL and the union representing the players.Monday, the Professional Hockey Players’ Association announced that its represented players in the ECHL have served a strike notice, effective Dec. 26. This comes after the PHPA issued a strike authorization mandate on Dec. 18.”As a result of the league’s ongoing unfair labor practices, the PHPA’s ECHL membership has been forced to take this step to protect the integrity of the bargaining process,” the union wrote on its website Monday.The union also accuses the league of “ongoing unfair labor practices,” which have “undermined and obstructed the lawful collective bargaining process.”The PHPA says they filed an unfair labor practice charged with the National Labor Relations Board earlier this summer, after the league made unilateral changes to mandatory subjects of bargaining and engaged in negotiations the union calls “regressive.”“We have informed the ECHL that we are willing to continue discussions to resolve all outstanding matters,” PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay said in a statement. “For several months, we have been engaged in bargaining with the league, and their unlawful and coercive conduct throughout this process has been incredibly disappointing. We are asking for basic standards around health, safety and working conditions that allow the players to remain healthy, compete at a high level and build sustainable professional careers. “Our members have never been more united and remain ready to return to the bargaining table at any time. We sincerely hope the ECHL will engage in good-faith negotiations so a fair agreement can be reached and any disruption to the season can be avoided.”Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, with Canada’s Sportsnet, says the PHPA is close to a new CBA with the other major minor league in North America, the AHL.Prior to the strike notice being served, the ECHL made public its latest offer to the union.The league says they have proposed an immediate increase to the salary cap for this season of 16.4%, which would be paid retroactively, continue to cover the cost of housing, utilities and medical benefits, as well as a more relaxed schedule, including a mandatory day off each week.In an open letter, the PHPA says the league’s economic proposals put players below inflation since the last CBA was signed, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the union says, they gave the league a “two year, no cost extension,” to assist the league in pandemic-related recovery.Union officials say the league has also sent “at least two direct communications” to players through team management regarding bargaining-related matters, a move the union says is an “attempt to bully and intimidate players” with tactics that violate labor law.”There has been no meaningful movement toward a fair resolution,” the union says.In an update Tuesday afternoon, PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay said the ECHL rejected a solution offered by the union to use a mediation process, in an attempt to avoid missed games. The ECHL is on its winter break, with the Cyclones having last played on Dec. 20, in a 4-3 win over Fort Wayne.Cincinnati is scheduled to take the ice again on Dec. 26, the same day a potential work stoppage would commence.

CINCINNATI —

A work stoppage could be on the horizon for the Cincinnati Cyclones amid a labor dispute between the ECHL and the union representing the players.

Monday, the Professional Hockey Players’ Association announced that its represented players in the ECHL have served a strike notice, effective Dec. 26. This comes after the PHPA issued a strike authorization mandate on Dec. 18.

“As a result of the league’s ongoing unfair labor practices, the PHPA’s ECHL membership has been forced to take this step to protect the integrity of the bargaining process,” the union wrote on its website Monday.

The union also accuses the league of “ongoing unfair labor practices,” which have “undermined and obstructed the lawful collective bargaining process.”

The PHPA says they filed an unfair labor practice charged with the National Labor Relations Board earlier this summer, after the league made unilateral changes to mandatory subjects of bargaining and engaged in negotiations the union calls “regressive.”

“We have informed the ECHL that we are willing to continue discussions to resolve all outstanding matters,” PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay said in a statement. “For several months, we have been engaged in bargaining with the league, and their unlawful and coercive conduct throughout this process has been incredibly disappointing. We are asking for basic standards around health, safety and working conditions that allow the players to remain healthy, compete at a high level and build sustainable professional careers.

“Our members have never been more united and remain ready to return to the bargaining table at any time. We sincerely hope the ECHL will engage in good-faith negotiations so a fair agreement can be reached and any disruption to the season can be avoided.”

Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, with Canada’s Sportsnet, says the PHPA is close to a new CBA with the other major minor league in North America, the AHL.

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The AHL and the PHPA — which represents minor-league players — closing in on new CBA. Must be ratified by both parties (expected to be a formality). Five-year deal, retroactive to the start of this season.

ECHL players are meeting virtually to discuss possibility of a strike,…

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 22, 2025

Prior to the strike notice being served, the ECHL made public its latest offer to the union.

The league says they have proposed an immediate increase to the salary cap for this season of 16.4%, which would be paid retroactively, continue to cover the cost of housing, utilities and medical benefits, as well as a more relaxed schedule, including a mandatory day off each week.

In an open letter, the PHPA says the league’s economic proposals put players below inflation since the last CBA was signed, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the union says, they gave the league a “two year, no cost extension,” to assist the league in pandemic-related recovery.

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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Union officials say the league has also sent “at least two direct communications” to players through team management regarding bargaining-related matters, a move the union says is an “attempt to bully and intimidate players” with tactics that violate labor law.

“There has been no meaningful movement toward a fair resolution,” the union says.

In an update Tuesday afternoon, PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay said the ECHL rejected a solution offered by the union to use a mediation process, in an attempt to avoid missed games.

The ECHL is on its winter break, with the Cyclones having last played on Dec. 20, in a 4-3 win over Fort Wayne.

Cincinnati is scheduled to take the ice again on Dec. 26, the same day a potential work stoppage would commence.