‘Inevitable’ city layoffs have begun
Some city workers have been laid off already, according to the union representing them, and more will face that possibility in coming weeks, senior officials at the City of Medicine Hat said on Friday.
That comes two weeks after city recreation and cultural facilities were closed to the general public as a response to COVID-19. The union representing city workers said so far that only some positions are affected, such as concession workers and cashiers — deemed as “temporary employees” in the collective agreement.
“We have closed a number of public facilities, decreased programming and events, and limited services,” said public services commissioner Brian Mastel. “In reflection of those changes we will be notifying staff of layoffs over the coming weeks. We will continue to adjust to the evolving situation. We do not take these decisions lightly and look forward to resuming operations in the future.”
According to the union representing municipal workers, the majority of 800 are on the job and needed to fill essential roles or backstop other positions in case of illness or isolation protocol.
“Some layoffs are inevitable,” said Sam Ferrier, the president of Local 46 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, who said his members are conforming to new duties as required, and are proud to remain on the job.
“You can tell just by talking with the members that everybody is really gung-ho to get the job done.”
Director of emergency management Merrick Brown told the News this month that longstanding contingency plan focused on cross-training and job skill-training in the civic workforce. That gives managers the option to promote or transfer employees with applicable skills when others take ill or have to self-isolate for travel reasons.
Along with rec facilities, the Veiner and Strathcona centres were closed to the public, but workers there are still active implementing COVID response plans, or in the case of senior outreach programming, augmenting operations to reach and support vulnerable at-risk populations.
Other public closures have become an opportunity to complete some maintenance and other special projects, the News has been told.
The union represents inside, outside and transit workers in the city of Medicine Hat, plus municipal workers with the Town of Redcliff and staff at the Cypress View Foundation.
That seniors facility is under strict restrictions from Alberta Health Services about access and cleanliness, to protect the health of residents at the subsidized seniors’ living facility.
Ferrier said there has been change in public service delivery in Redcliff, other than precautionary measures in line with health advisories.
Ferrier added that contract talks, which had been ongoing to replace a deal that expired in late 2019, are now on hold for obvious reasons.
Firefighters position
The Alberta Firefighters Association says that province-wide about 300 members — about 10 per cent of the entire workforce — are in self-isolation, and off work, for a 14-day period.
That number should begin to fall soon, said Brad Readman, the association’s president.
He also applauded a provincial government decision to put firefighters and other emergency responders into a high-priority category when widespread testing is made available.