The federal WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act requires employers to either give a full 60 days notice before closing a plant or engaging in a mass layoff or to pay dislocated workers 60 days of wages and benefits, including health insurance premiums.
Owners are hoping that by locking out the players and withholding pay, a critical mass of the rank-and-file will break with the leadership and push for a new deal that includes concessions.