As the NHL lockout drags on, I can’t help but wonder how the people who work in businesses that depend on it are coping. Think about the number of people who are employed by NHL teams who work the concession stands, parking lots and box offices who are currently unemployed. Let’s not forget all of those who work in related businesses - restaurants, bars, and sporting goods stores.

PHOTO CREDIT - WinnipegWhiteout.com

Windsor - December 6, 2012 - As the NHL lockout drags on, I can’t help but wonder how the people who work in businesses that depend on it are coping. Think about the number of people who are employed by NHL teams who work the concession stands, parking lots and box offices who are currently unemployed. Let’s not forget all of those who work in related businesses - restaurants, bars, and sporting goods stores.

The trickle down effect hurts us all, but no one more than the poor guy or gal who has to try to explain to his or her kids that there won’t be much under the Christmas tree this year. It doesn’t seem to matter to the NHL owners and players that the folks who work downstream can’t make ends meet these days. I’d bet my bottom dollar that there aren’t many from either side who lie awake at night worrying about people who rely on them to make a living.

It has been said that the players won the war last time around, in what should have been the 2004-2005 season. Naturally, the owners want to win this war, just to even up the score. League commissioner and multi million dollar salaried Gary Bettman has been given his orders by the owners he represents. On the opposite side, Donald Fehr is doing the same for the NHLPA.

With the recent news that the two of them have stepped back from the negotiations there has been a glimmer of hope from both camps. Words like “optimism” and “progress” have been heard today. Posturing? Maybe, but if it works, and there can be an agreement without them, then perhaps it’s time for the NHL to kick both Bettman and Fehr to the curb, save millions of dollars between their two salaries, and divide it between the people who this lockout has affected the most. The waitresses, cooks, bartenders, concession workers, and everyone else this lockout has affected.

Let’s all hope for a settlement soon. For everyone’s sake.