NEW YORK – NHL players are a step closer to dissolving their union.

Union members voted this week to give the players' association's executive board the power to file a "disclaimer of interest" until Jan. 2.

A person familiar with the outcome of the vote told The Associated Press on Friday that the measure passed easily, drawing more than two-thirds majority that was necessary. However, the executive board hasn't made plans yet to meet to discuss whether to file the disclaimer. If the Jan. 2 deadline passes, another authorization vote could be held to approve a filing at a later date.