by The president of the faculty association at Cape Breton University says layoffs could be coming in the New Year if some faculty members don’t accept early retirement packages.
Scott Stewart adds that CBU president David Wheeler told the association last week that he plans to open the layoff clause in the faculty association’s collective agreement within the next six to eight weeks.
A budget passed by CBU’s board of governors in April called for a downsizing of staff in order to save $2.4 million in labour costs each year for the next four years.
Since then, Stewart says reports from the board suggest CBU’s financial situation has worsened due to a number of factors, including a drop in enrolment this fall.
The faculty association has filed a complaint with the Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board on the matter and a decision is expected by early next month.
Meanwhile, President Wheeler says opening the layoff clause won’t necessarily lead to layoffs if some professors agree to take voluntary early retirement.