Athabasca University will save approximately $1.1 million by laying off 24 people from the Athabasca location.
Communication and media relations manager John OíBrien said a total of $2.2 million would be saved in the first year after laying off 44 people from Athabasca and Edmonton locations of the university.
He also explained that each year after that they would save $4.4 million.
The finances may look good, but thatís small comfort to the Athabasca University Faculty Association (AUFA).
Mark McCutcheon, president of AUFA, said they are looking in to the layoffs.
When asked how it would affect the university he said, ìAdversely, it already has.î
As for the policies regarding the layoffs, McCutcheon is looking into them.
ìThe whole process has been handled less than professionally, in terms of the way the layoffs have been administered,î McCutcheon said. ìThe faculty association is looking at the layoff process very closely and we are doing what we can to assess to what extent the layoff procedure is (in accordance with) the collective agreement.î
McCutcheon said some questions have arisen regarding the agreement and if it was followed.
This loss of income for Athabasca families could affect the community in a negative way, according to one town councillor.
Athabasca town councillor Richard Verhaeghe said the layoffs were, ìAbsolutely devastating.î
Verhaeghe pointed out these were good jobs, with benefits.
ìNo one wants to see layoffs, especially with their major employer,î he said. ìBut AU has to balance their budget.î
