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"These campuses, these programs, and these good jobs are integral parts of the economic structure of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Each cut has a ripple effect on the local economy.” — Jerry Earle, NAPE President
St. John's (09 May 2018) — Jerry Earle, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE), is voicing his concern today about another round of layoffs at College of the North Atlantic (CNA).
Losing good jobs hurts the local economy
“Last week, 13 faculty members, who are members of NAPE/NUPGE, were given layoff notices. In the past 5 years, dozens of faculty members have been laid off at the College,” said Earle. “This is part of a troubling trend at the college in recent years, and we are seeing the impact primarily on rural campuses. These campuses, these programs, and these good jobs are integral parts of the economic structure of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Each cut has a ripple effect on the local economy.”
The breakdown of layoffs is as follows:
- 2 positions in the Construction/Industrial Electrician Program in Bonavista
- 1 position in the Construction/Industrial Electrician Program in Bay St. George
- 4 positions in the Instrumentation and Controls, Metal Fabricator, Sheet Metal Programs in Burin
- 6 positions in the Office Administration and Process Operations Engineering Technology in Corner Brook
Faculty members waiting for the axe to fall
“We are of the understanding that these layoffs are not the result of budgetary issues but are part of their annual enrolment management process, but we are looking into that further and requesting additional information from the college on that front,” said Earle. “While we understand that the college needs to be responsive to enrolment demands, they should be engaging with their frontline staff, faculty, and their union on ways to mitigate impact, create and attract new programs, and improve enrolment and program delivery.”
“We are in a situation now where faculty, particularly at some of the smaller rural campuses, are waiting for the axe to fall each and every spring in the name of strategic enrolment management,” continued Earle. “It’s death by a thousand cuts.”