Alberta labour board allows NHL lockout of Oilers, Flames to continue

Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Jones, right, battles with Toronto Maple Leafs' Cody Franson during second period NHL hockey game action in Edmonton on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. (John Ulan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

EDMONTON -- The Alberta Labour Relations Board has ruled that the NHL's lockout of players from the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames can continue.

The board said declaring the lockout illegal in the province wouldn't help the league and its players reach a settlement.

The players' union had argued that the Oilers and Flames are Alberta businesses and as such must abide by provincial labour rules.

Those rules say a mediator must have 14 days to work with both sides in a contract dispute before a lockout vote can be held.

The NHL had applied for a mediator in Alberta, but informed the board after three days that it didn't believe meetings would have to be held.

Lawyers for the NHL said the league needs to operate under one set of labour laws to function.