The Union Recorder

Local Sports

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
November 27, 2012

US federal mediators to join NHL labor talks

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Federal mediators are entering the stalled NHL labor talks, with the season's first 2½ months already lost because of the lockout.

George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, said Monday the parties had agreed to use the agency. He assigned three mediators to assist negotiations — deputy director Scot Beckenbaugh, director of mediation services John Sweeney and Commissioner Guy Serota — who was removed later in the day because of a Twitter account that may have been tampered with.

The sides are to meet separately with the mediators Wednesday.

"While we have no particular level of expectation going into this process, we welcome a new approach in trying to reach a resolution of the ongoing labor dispute at the earliest possible date," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.

Cohen has worked with the players' associations for Major League Baseball, helping end the 1994-95 strike as an outside counsel, and the NBA. He was an adviser to the NHL players' union before joining FMCS three years ago.

"We look forward to their involvement as we continue working to reach an equitable agreement for both the players and the owners," said Donald Fehr, executive director of the NHL Players' Association.

Cohen mediated during the 2010 negotiations in Major League Soccer and 2011 talks in the NFL and NBA, along with this year's dispute between the NFL and its on-field officials.

Cohen said Serota was removed because "within one hour after I issued a press release ... it has been called to my attention that there are issues involving an allegedly hacked Twitter account associated with Commissioner Guy Serota." He said Serota was removed "to immediately dispel any cloud on the mediation process, and without regard to the merits of the allegations."

Hockey players and management have not negotiated since last Wednesday. The NHL has canceled more than one-third of its regular season, including all games through Dec. 14, the New Year's Day outdoor Winter Classic and the All-Star weekend scheduled for Jan. 26-27 at Columbus, Ohio.

"I have had separate, informal discussions with the key representatives of the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association during the course of their negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement," Cohen said in a statement.

"Due to the extreme sensitivity of these negotiations and consistent with the FMCS's longstanding practice, the agency will refrain from any public comment concerning the future schedule and/or the status of the negotiations until further notice."

Beckenbaugh was a mediator during the 2004-05 lockout, a stoppage that caused cancellation of the entire season.

Text Only
Local Sports
  • 05-23 Jalleyah Jordan signing.JPG BHS track athlete signs with Albany State

    Paving the way for other future Bravettes, Baldwin High track athlete Jalleyah Jordan signed a scholarship Wednesday to run for Albany State University next year.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • AOW - Lila Mitchell.JPG UR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Distance runner Mitchell a natural learner

    Coming off strong performances at the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class-A Public School Division State track meet, Lila Mitchell earns this week’s Athlete of the Week honor for her performances in the both the 3,200- and 1,600-meter runs.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • g00025800000000000003a48bafdc9463051b74d8b264d6fb2f82152aea.jpg Millersville players help couple resuscitate ailing child

    The Millersville University baseball team came up with a great save this week, but it had nothing to do with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament being played at Point Stadium.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • GMC Prep girls state track 1.jpg GMC Prep girls capture third in state

    Putting up consistent performances all weekend, Georgia Military Prep School’s girl’s track team finished third overall at the Georgia High School Association’s Class-A Public School State Championships in Albany,

    May 14, 2013 2 Photos 1 Story

  • 05-10 Boone Athlete.JPG UR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Trojan’s Boone a true track guy

    After his first and only year with John Milledge Academy, senior Dwayne Boone leaves a reputation as a standup student-athlete.

    May 10, 2013 1 Photo

  • 05-07 gmc prep track relay team.jpg GMC Prep earns pair of titles in Jefferson

    Georgia Military Prep School did not disappoint, as the boy’s track team earned first place honors in two events during the Georgia High School Association’s Class-A Public School Division State Championships hosted in Jefferson Thursday through Saturday.

    May 7, 2013 1 Photo

  • UR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Baldwin Jet continues family legacy

    Baldwin County produces its share of successful athletes at the youth level.

    May 6, 2013

  • IMG_9603.JPG GMC Prep’s Lewis signs with MGSC

    Baldwin County’s two-time boy’s basketball Player of the Year, Jalen Lewis plans to extend his career to the collegiate level, signing with Middle Georgia State College on Tuesday, in the Georgia Military College Sibley Cone Library.

    May 1, 2013 1 Photo

  • Dennis named GMC girl’s basketball coach

    Following a season that saw the Georgia Military Prep School girl’s basketball team go 4-22 overall and 2-6 in the region, the GMC Prep administration decided to take another approach to building the program, naming Shawn Dennis as the new head girl’s basketball coach on Monday.

    April 30, 2013

  • Braves snag come-from-behind win

    Baldwin High baseball’s Senior Night did not disappoint, as the Braves took Washington County into extra innings at home before earning an 8-7 victory.

    April 27, 2013