Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Chad Klassen

TRU LAYOFFS

Union representing laid off workers at TRU remain optimistic situation will be resolved by September

Jun 4, 2020 | 4:43 PM

KAMLOOPS — The union representing more than 600 employees at Thompson Rivers University says it hopes the pandemic will improve enough to save 80 jobs by the start of school in September.

President of CUPE 4879 Lois Rugg is working with members and the university to ensure the impact is as minimal as possible.

Many of the 80 people that have been served layoff notices are CUPE members at the university. They have been given four months until the layoffs begin in September, but there is hope enrollment numbers will be high enough in the fall to save people’s jobs.

“The hope is that if TRU has enough enrollment and it’s stable, and if international students are able to come back to TRU, things will improve that,” noted Rugg. “Hopefully most of the layoffs will be rescinded, so there is some optimism in that respect.”

Rugg says if there are further layoffs in the fall, she wants TRU administration to ensure cuts are university-wide, not just targeting union members.

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“We’re certainly hoping that if we do have to make those sacrifices that other groups on campus will also be making similar sacrifices. Our goal is we can make the impact as low as possible, and we would hope that the administration will be doing the same thing in looking at how they can support the situation as well.”

TRU did not have anyone from administration available for an interview with CFJC Today.