NEW YORK -- Representatives on both sides of the NHL labour fight are meeting in an informal lunch setting, one day after negotiations hit a sour patch.

The sides were in contact Saturday before a small group got together, a players' association spokesman says in an email. It hasn't been determined if further bargaining will take place on the 56th day of the lockout that has delayed and shortened the hockey season.

Negotiations have taken place the previous four days. Talks broke off Friday night a few hours into a bargaining session on the core economic differences that separate the sides.

The players' association held a conference call with its executive board and players on the negotiating committee on Friday night and then continued internal discussions on Saturday before meeting with the league.