USA Hockey Women's National Team to Boycott World Championships
USA Hockey to boycott upcoming World Championships
Players on the U.S women's hockey team announced today they will boycott the upcoming World Championships in Michigan later this month. The team will not report to training camp over a wage dispute with USA Hockey and unless significant progress is made, will not participate in the International Ice Hockey Federation tournament starting March 31st.
Last March, U.S women's soccer national team players filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the U.S Soccer Federation that alleged wage discrimination. The team is looking to renegotiate a new collective bargaining agreement that improve working conditions and compensation equal to the men's team.
U.S Soccer star Alex Morgan tweets her support for the national team
Team USA is coming off a Four Nations Cup Gold after defeating rival Canada and is looking to defend their goal medal from last years World Championships. The players are looking for a new contract with USA Hockey that would support the growth and accomplishments of the women's and girls national programs.
"We are fortunate to have strong pioneers who have changed the landscape of their sport. Figures such as Billie Jean King or teams like U.S women's soccer have built a foundation not only for hope, but for action. As leaders in the sport of hockey we are asking for equitable support and encouragement for participation for women." Hilary Knight told ESPNW.
The U.S has medaled in every Olympics and won six of the last eight World Championships but players are only paid during a six month period around the Olympics. The deal gives U.S players $1,000 a month during the "Olympic Residency" period but does not cover the athletes during the rest of the time.
After 14 months of negotiations, progress has stalled and the team will not take the ice unless serious steps are taken to move contract talks along.
No statement has been released by USA Hockey and no one was available for immediate comment from the headquarters.
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