Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 17, 1993 TAG: 9311170086
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press and staff reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Striking NHL referees and linesmen gained support Tuesday, with union workers in Vancouver promising a job action to protest the use of replacement officials.
The league and representatives for its striking officials, who received good marks after their first night on the ice, said no negotiations were scheduled.
There were no major problems on or off the ice at three sites Monday night, when replacements were used for the first time. But, after a night of calm, that was to change.
David Long, president of Local 10-04 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, said his members - arena employees - would not work Tuesday night's game between St. Louis and Vancouver even if striking officials are not represented outside Pacific Coliseum.
Other games scheduled Tuesday night were Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, San Jose at Washington and the New York Rangers at Florida.
Talks between the NHL and its officials broke off after a two-hour session Sunday night, with no progress reported and about $1.5 million separating the two sides.
The NHL's proposal, a four-year contract, would cost about $5 million. The officials' proposal would cost about $6.5 million.
All 58 members of the NHL Officials Association voted to strike after the league submitted what it called its final offer Friday. The regulars have been without a contract since Aug. 31.
They want a 60 percent raise in the first year of the contract, while the league is offering 29 percent. First-year referees earn $50,000 and first-year linesmen $33,000.
The replacement officials, drawn from the amateur and minor leagues, worked three games Monday night. The referees are being paid $800 a game, the linesmen $500.
One of the replacement officials chosen by the NHL is Sam Gowan, a former Roanoke resident. Gowan has worked as a linesman for approximately 10 years, officiating in the East Coast Hockey League and the now-defunct Atlantic Coast Hockey League and All-American Hockey League. He was an ECHL official last season.
by CNB