City of Edmonton has announced that it is temporarily laying off an additional 900 City employees due to reductions in transit service, outdoor programming, and lower demand for administrative services.
According to the news release, nearly half of the affected staff are transit operators, while others provide administrative, analytical, community liaison, human resources, technology, training, and other services across all City departments.
The City said that the total number of staff facing a temporary layoff has been slightly reduced through redeployments to support the City’s COVID-19 response, including staffing the EXPO Centre and providing additional transit cleaning. Permanent staff may be redeployed for summer programs, outside maintenance and waste collection.
“COVID-19 is continuing to have an impact on public health, the economy, and City services, and again it is taking a toll on our colleagues,” said Interim City Manager Adam Laughlin.
The length of the temporary layoffs has not been confirmed. “How the City responds and recovers will determine when and how we bring employees back,” said Laughlin.
Public institutions and public bodies are to eligible for the 75% Wage Subsidy.