Women’s Hockey Players Union Joins AFL-CIO Labor Federation

The Professional Women's Hockey League Players Association has become the 65th union to affiliate with the AFL-CIO, America's largest labor federation representing nearly 15 million workers. The move strengthens the voice of 184 women's hockey players as their sport experiences unprecedented growth and popularity.

Female professional hockey players have made a significant move to amplify their collective bargaining power by joining forces with the AFL-CIO during a period of unprecedented growth for their sport.

On Thursday, the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association became the 65th labor union to affiliate with America’s most prominent labor federation, which advocates for close to 15 million workers nationwide. This development also marks the PWHLPA as the tenth players’ union to enter the AFL-CIO’s sports council, joining existing unions for NFL, NHL, Major League Baseball, WNBA, and women’s soccer athletes.

The partnership was formalized during meetings held in Washington, D.C., coming at an opportune moment as women’s hockey experiences unprecedented popularity following the U.S. women’s Olympic team’s third gold medal victory at the Milan Cortina Games in recent weeks.

“This isn’t a moment, it is a movement,” PWHLPA executive director Malaika Underwood told The Associated Press.

“I think this affiliation really reflects something our members have believed from the beginning,” she added. “When athletes stand together and they work collectively, they can shape the future of their sport. And they are doing just that. It is amazing to be part of.”

Securing AFL-CIO affiliation for her 184 PWHL members was a priority Underwood established when she assumed leadership of the PWHLPA approximately one year ago. Before her current role, Underwood served as a partner at OneTeam, a consulting company that handled commercial interests for several player associations already connected to the AFL-CIO.

She viewed the PWHLPA’s membership as a natural progression in the union’s development.

The women’s hockey players’ association was established when the league launched in summer 2023, earning recognition as the first women’s professional sports league to establish a collective bargaining agreement before its inaugural season.

The privately-owned PWHL started with six franchises and has experienced substantial expansion since its inception. The league grew by two teams last summer and has announced plans to potentially add up to four additional teams in the upcoming season.

The league has witnessed a dramatic surge in fan interest since players returned from Olympic competition, with the PWHL recording multiple sold-out events. This momentum was highlighted Thursday when the league announced complete ticket sales for upcoming games at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Boston’s TD Garden.

Underwood emphasized that despite the PWHLPA and league maintaining a cooperative and respectful relationship in developing the league’s direction, the AFL-CIO partnership enhances the union’s negotiating position. This alliance provides the PWHLPA with additional resources and collective strength when representing players during contract discussions.

“These players have platforms, and they have a voice and power. And when they use it to advance workers’ issues, we all win,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler told the AP. “So I think connecting those common struggles has been at the root of why we think this partnership is so important.”

Shuler highlighted the AFL-CIO’s involvement in current negotiations between the Women’s National Basketball Players Association and the WNBA, following the union’s decision to exit their previous collective bargaining agreement. She also referenced the influence women’s soccer players wielded in abolishing the college draft during their most recent NWSL contract negotiations.

“When women athletes come together as workers, they don’t only elevate their own leagues, they raise the bar across all of women’s sports,” Shuler said.

The PWHL maintains ownership and operational control of all its franchises, with financial backing provided by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter.

The league’s existing collective bargaining agreement extends through 2031, with Underwood indicating the union remains flexible regarding PWHL leadership’s preferences — whether they choose to reopen negotiations early or allow the current contract to continue through its full term.