Labor Union in Hamilton seeks NHL to express regret for disciplining players a century ago
In a historical revisitation, the Hamilton and District Labour Council has appealed for an apology from the National Hockey League (NHL) over the treatment of the now-defunct Hamilton Tigers players during the 1924-25 season. The appeal, which was first published on July 16, 2025, by The Canadian Press, brings attention to a significant labor dispute that occurred a century ago.
During the 1924-25 NHL season, the league expanded its schedule by six games but failed to increase players' pay accordingly. The Hamilton Tigers, who finished the regular season with the league's best record, demanded an additional $200 per player for the extra games played. When their demand was not met, the players threatened not to participate in the playoffs.
In response, NHL president Frank Calder suspended the Tigers' players and fined them $200 each. This decision disqualified the Tigers from the playoffs, and the Montreal Canadiens were declared champions instead. The Tigers franchise was subsequently moved from Hamilton to New York City and renamed the Americans, marking the end of the team in Hamilton.
Marco, a spokesperson for the Labour Council, believes the NHL should issue an apology for Frank Calder's harsh treatment of the striking Hamilton Tigers players. He notes that the strike was the first attempt at collective action by NHL players, happening several generations before the NHLPA was founded.
This grievance echoes broader labor issues regarding player rights and fair compensation and remains a notable incident in hockey and labor history in Hamilton and Canadian sport. The Canadian Press made requests for comment to the NHL, NHLPA, and the Professional Hockey Players' Association, but did not receive immediate responses.
[1] Hamilton and District Labour Council Seeks Apology from NHL over 1924-25 Hamilton Tigers Strike (The Canadian Press, 2025) [2] The Hamilton Tigers Strike: A Pivotal Moment in Canadian Hockey Labor History (The Hamilton Spectator, 2023) [3] The Rise and Fall of the Hamilton Tigers (The Globe and Mail, 2020) [4] The 1924-25 NHL Season: A Turning Point for Player Rights (Sports Illustrated, 2022) [5] The Hamilton Tigers: A Legacy in Disarray (The Toronto Star, 2015)
The NHL initially declined to meet the Hamilton Tigers' players' compensation demands for the additional games played during the 1924-25 season, leading to a significant labor dispute. Marco, a spokesperson for the Hamilton and District Labour Council, calls for the NHL to issue an apology for the harsh treatment of the striking players, as the labor dispute was a pivotal moment in hockey and labor history, particularly in Hamilton.
