If the move proves successful, the league would be forced to pay players on the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers during a work stoppage.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman leaves after speaking to reporters after NHL labor talks in Toronto, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. The NHL Players Association intends to challenge a lockout before labor boards in Quebec and Alberta, a move that if successful could force the league to pay players on the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers during a work stoppage.
The sport’s labor contract expires at the end of Saturday and a lockout appears to be certain, which would be the league’s fourth work stoppage since 1992 and first since the 2004-05 season was wiped out.
Labor law in Canada is provincial, not national. The NHLPA is not recognized as a certified union in Quebec.