In a surprising move, a “Bill” was introduced in Washington State by state representative Drew MacEwen. Named “Bill 1930”, executives with the state’s four WHL teams testified before the state’s labor committee on Tuesday that the bill would allow their players to be described as amateur, and exempt from state labor laws.
The “Bill” is seen as being a reaction to an ongoing investigation instituted by the Washington State Department of Labor
The Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips, Tri-City Americans and Spokane Chiefs all have players aged 16 to 20 year olds who get paid less than minimum wage, room and board and, in some cases, qualify for college scholarships.
Unifor, one of Canada’s largest labor unions has taken over the movement for fair wages originally begun by the former CHLPA. The CHLPA story was broken by TJHN and became a sensational story in the United States and Canada in 2013.
Unifor, a union that wants to organize junior players, says players work about 1,000 hours during the course of the season. In Washington state, where the minimum wage is $9.32 an hour, that would mean each player should receive at least $9,320.
Bill 1930, suggests changes to the law that would protect amateur sports leagues and clubs, particularly those that are not-for-profit or limited liability companies. It’s unclear whether any WHL teams would qualify for such protection because the WHL and its parent CHL, registered as “for-profit” companies.
Conspicuously missing from testimony, none of the WHL team executives testified about the finances of their teams, what percentage of revenue is committed to player compensation, or their “for profit” or “not for profit” status.
The “Bill” is scheduled to be voted on by the labor committee on Thursday. If it receives majority support, it will go to the Washington house rules committee.
Other U.S. states where Major Junior teams are based are monitoring the child labor investigation very closely, and it is expected to be concluded in early 2015.
Joe Hughes
