Over 200 jobs to be eliminated at SAIT
Posted February 28, 2020 11:04 am.
Last Updated March 5, 2020 1:16 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Hundreds will soon be without a job at a Calgary post-secondary school.
The President of SAIT confirmed Friday morning that 230 positions will be eliminated due to budget cuts from the provincial government.
This is what the UCP calls supporting the trades in this province? 230 jobs lost at SAIT and less investment in infrastructure to create jobs. I don't think so Mr. Kenney. #ableg #brokenpromisebudget #abpse #SAIT pic.twitter.com/eHfKSY0ZXg
— David Eggen (@davideggenAB) February 28, 2020
In a letter, school President Dr. David Ross said the Oct. 2019 budget would result in cuts to post-secondary schools over the next four years.
He goes on to say, the school has carefully reviewed all possibilities to create a sustainable, balanced budget.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees confirmed 68 union jobs will be lost and 30 positions will not be filled.
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“This is hard for our institution — losing people who are passionate about student success is never easy. As a result of funding reductions, we have been forced to make some tough decisions,” spokesperson for SAIT, Chris Gerritsen said in a statement to 660 NEWS.
“With the impact of the Government of Alberta’s budget cuts to the post-secondary sector announced last October, and reinforced in the government’s 2020 budget, our senior leadership has taken time to carefully review all possibilities to create a balanced budget that mitigates impact on the quality of instruction and student success.
So, the difficult decision was made to eliminate a total of 230 positions, beginning next week through to the end of May, which includes 80 vacancies that won’t be replaced. These staff reductions are accompanied by spending cuts in other areas such as capital spending and administrative supports.
We are committed to moving forward with a strategy grounded in sustainable growth — maintaining our relationship with government, while developing and growing independent revenue streams that will support student success, as well as programming, technology and business growth.”
