The City of Windsor has laid off 541 part-time and seasonal employees amid the shutdown of many city services due to COVID-19.
The majority of the layoffs are employees in the cultural and recreational department who are represented by CUPE Local 543.
"No decision that was made today had anything to do with finding savings on the back of our employees," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. "The cost associated with the municipal response to COVID-19 includes dozens of unbudgeted costs that far exceed any savings associated with these staff reductions."
City of Windsor Chief Operating Officer Onorio Colucci said they will do everything in their power to help these employees apply for employment insurance or the Canadian Emergency Relief Benefit.
The City of Windsor does not qualify for the wage subsidy program introduced by the federal government last week.
In addition to the layoffs, the City of Windsor is calling back 250 regular full-time employees. They will be re-deployed to priority tasks like cleaning, screening, and other municipal duties while adhering to recommended physical distancing requirements.
"We have done everything possible to keep staff contributing in a productive and meaningful way thereby reducing the number of staff who will no longer receive pay," said Dilkens.
All layoffs are effective as of Monday, April 6, 2020. Dilkens said employees will be called back as soon as it is safe to do so.
