Today, representatives from the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and the Women's Crowns met for the first time since the players went on strike last week, in protest of bad conditions and poor respect from the Swedish Ice Hockey Association.
And according to the union's secretary general Tommy Boustedt, it was a positive meeting.
- In general, it was constructive and good. There were many good questions from them and I hope we were able to answer as well as the questions were constructed. But according to the representatives from Sico (the players' union) they were satisfied with the answers for so long, but so far we have no final agreement, says Boustedt to SVT Sport, and continues:
- Sico was commissioned to go home and file a proposal for a three-year agreement. And that is extremely important for the future, both for the girls of course, but also for the union and for Swedish ice hockey.
"The issue will be resolved"The player union will therefore next week come up with a proposal for a three-year agreement. But already Tommy Boustedt can promise that a question will be solved:
- An important issue, after all, was the girls' lost work income, and that was what we decided to solve. So that issue was ticked off so to speak during the meeting, he says.
So you will replace them for the money they lose from playing in the national team?
- Yes, somehow. We are many parties to this, but we promised to make sure that this issue will be resolved.
What more burning issues do you feel need to be resolved in the near future?
- It's all about insurance, equipment, planning, setting, treatment and so on. There are a few different things. I do not want to say too much, because I do not know what Sico will write in his contract proposal. But they will return at our scheduled meeting next week.
Buustedt cannot say when the issue will be resolved, but is clearly positive:
- I think we are close to each other in all the issues raised, he says.