City of Regina announces layoffs due to impact of COVID-19

The City of Regina is laying off 360 of its casual employees due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the city.

It will also be postponing the recall of about 500 seasonal employees.

“The virus has resulted in some very challenging and changing times. The city is taking action to ensure that the health and safety of the employees and our citizens is being taken care of while we look at providing critical services,” city manager Chris Holden said Thursday.

Having closed a number of its facilities and suspended programs to limit the potential spread of the virus, the city announced it had decided to let go employees who worked positions like cashiers, equipment operators as well as operational and maintenance staff. Their schedules are set based on work need.

“We recognize that this will result in hardship and we’re ensuring that those affected know how to access the financial supports that have been announced by both the federal and provincial governments,” Holden said.

Holden said while there isn’t any guarantee the employees will be hired back, the city will try to rehire those who were laid off.

The city would normally employ 2,800 employees, 1,000 of whom are casual. The layoffs mean the city has let go of about 80 per cent of their casual workforce.

Holden acknowledged the COVID-19 pandemic is causing uncertainty that’s leading to concerns from permanent employees as well.

“We will look very closely as administration to make sure that we are supporting our casual staff that have received layoffs and the permanent staff that are continuing to work each and every day,” Holden said.

Holden said the city will look at retraining and reassigning its permanent staff to help ensure they can all remain working.

Mayor Michael Fougere said the permanent staff provide services that are critical to the city, including fire protection, garbage collection and water services.

The layoff notices are to take effect at the end of day next Tuesday.