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This article was published 4/5/2018 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Longtime temporary workers at the Millennium Library had their hours cut this week to accommodate Winnipeg Jets Whiteout street parties — and their union is hoping city hall will make it up to them.

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 president Gord Delbridge said about 17 library workers had their hours cut short Tuesday, and 13 workers lost time Thursday.

Delbridge said there is no guarantee of work hours for the library’s temporary workers in the collective agreement, but said he hoped city officials would find a way to give them extra shifts to make up for the hours they lost — and will lose as the Jets continue through the NHL playoffs. Game 6 of the second-round best-of-seven series against the Nashville Predators is Monday in Winnipeg.

"I asked on compassionate grounds for people who are dependent on that income," Delbridge said.

The downtown library, which is located across the street from Bell MTS Place — and in the middle of the street party on game nights — normally stays open until 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. on Sundays. The library closed four hours early Tuesday and three hours early Thursday.

The hours of permanent workers are guaranteed under the collective agreement.

The union said there was no impact on any library staff during the first round of the NHL playoffs, as shift times were juggled for both permanent and temporary workers. While the shift times of permanent workers were adjusted to accommodate the Whiteout parties this week, that wasn’t done for the longtime temporary workers.

Delbridge said the union and the library workers don’t want to detract from the street celebrations but they shouldn’t be penalized for it.

City of Winnipeg community services director Cindy Fernandes said the library hours have been cut short during the Whiteout parties for security reasons, to prevent boisterous Jets fans from entering the building.

"It is unfortunate that some of the temporary hours had to be reduced," Fernandes said, adding she’ll work with the union to determine what alternative arrangements can be made should the Jets advance in the post-season.

Delbridge said he’ll talk to city officials next week to see what accommodations might be provided.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca