With the NHL lockout

[Bronx33]

what happens to NHL employees?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=116168

NHL clubs find ways to deal with staff

Canadian Press

2/25/2005

While the Montreal Canadiens have begun laying off staff, the rival Toronto Maple Leafs are keeping everyone on board even if the NHL season has been cancelled.

All 30 NHL clubs have taken their own approach to dealing with employees during the lockout that began Sept. 15 and has wiped out the 2004-05 season - with no guarantee players will be back on the ice to start next season.

Most have already made cuts or are planning layoffs in the near future.

Going East to West, here's a look at how the six Canadian NHL franchises have done it:

Click here to find out more!


Montreal Canadiens - On Thursday, the Canadiens laid off an undisclosed number of employees - reportedly between 15 and 20 - that included popular former winger Yvon Lambert.

However, Lambert, who sold corporate suites at the Bell Centre, told Le Journal de Montreal he would continue to work part-time for the club.

The Canadiens started the season with about 140 employees and, before the layoffs, lost about 30 through attrition this season. When the lockout started, all employees went on a four-day work week.

Ottawa Senators - The Sens took a novel approach - loaning out employees to other companies.

Among them, some worked on the Grey Cup game last fall and others went to a local high-tech firm. Those loaned out remain Sens employees and keep their benefits and seniority.

A spokesman said the club doesn't want to lose its workers even if it can't keep them all on during the lockout. There were 138 employees at the end of last summer, but a few left through attrition.

When the lockout started, all went on a four-day work week, but none were laid off. Since the season was officially cancelled on Feb. 16, there were an undisclosed number of layoffs.

Toronto Maple Leafs - The Leafs have a hiring freeze but have had no layoffs and don't have any planned.

About 350 people work full-time for the parent company, which includes the Leafs, the Toronto Raptors, the Air Canada Centre and Leafs TV.

President Richard Peddie told the Toronto Star this week employees went without pay raises and bonuses this season.

Calgary Flames - The Flames put all 125 staff on a three-day week when the lockout began, but didn't lay any off.

Some layoffs or buyouts are expected to be announced next week, but after the cuts, some employees will go back to full pay on a five-day week.

About 35 have left through attrition this season.

Edmonton Oilers - The Oilers helped find new jobs for a handful of employees when the lockout started, but have no layoffs planned.

Workers at the Rexall Centre continue at full pay and have been kept busy by having the Oilers' AHL farm club, the Roadrunners, playing in Edmonton this season.

Vancouver Canucks - A handful took buyouts and a few more left through attrition but there were no layoffs in Vancouver.

In September, all employees went on a four-day week, but oddly, they went back to five days after the season was officially cancelled. However, management has said layoffs may be in the offing.

The Canucks are currently down to about 100 employees.