Sports and Labour Relations collide!

There is a short report today in the Globe and Mail about the successful drive by something called the BC-NHLPA to be recognized in British Columbia as a trade union. It is very interesting because it means that in the event of a work stoppage, the Vancouver Canucks would not be able to use replacement workers (players). In the article, it indicates that the National Hockey League will appeal the decision (I assume that will be a judicial review). Professional sports leagues have been set up to be governed by one set of labour laws not by the labour laws of a series of jurisdictions, although there have been situations where the league or association has chosen to govern itself as if it is bound by a series of jurisdictions. It will be interesting to see where this goes and what ramifications flow from it.

According to the Globe and Mail, the decision was by vice-chair Najeeb Hasan. I would love to know if this is the same guy who I knew when he practiced labour law in Ontario - if you know - drop me a line please!