According to California's state unemployment insurance laws, workers who are locked out by management are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits.
Although the National Hockey League has deliberately called its work stoppage a postponement and has disputed the use of the term "lockout,'' the league is expected to concede soon that the stoppage is a lockout.
On Tuesday the NHL rejected the idea of using a federal mediator and all but abandoned the possibility of playing an entire 84-game season. The league hasn't officially canceled any games, but Brian Burke, the league's director of hockey operations, said a policy regarding ticket refunds could be announced any day.
"I don't see any reason why we can't play a 60-game or 70-game schedule,'' Burke said. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and players' union chief Bob Goodenow have not spoken since last Tuesday, and Burke said no new talks were planned.
The official declaration of a lockout might give them stronger legal footing if they want to pursue other temporary playing opportunities.
"Right now, the whole thing is based on (NHL officials) calling it a postponement,'' said Ron Salcer, an agent who is looking into placing players with European clubs and in the International Hockey League. "The league (has maintained) it will be a full 84-game season. Once you say they're locked out, if you get before a court of law, I think it will be different.''
William Waldo, a Los Angeles lawyer who represents management in labor disputes, was skeptical of the league's position.
"Players are being told they can practice, but the only way they get paid is if there's a game, and they're not letting them play any games. I've done this for 17 years. That's a lockout,'' he said.
(LAT, AP)
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