TORONTO, June 25,
2024 /CNW/ - OPSEU/SEFPO has been informed that more
than 50 food services workers at the Ontario Science Centre will
receive indefinite layoff notices in the next few days in the wake
of the unnecessary closure of the Ontario Science Centre to the
public.
"Four days after the Ford government said there would be no
immediate job losses from closing the Ontario Science Centre, the
layoffs are starting," said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick. "We
now know that they didn't even have to close the building,
according to their own engineering report. This government just
can't be trusted at all."
The food services workers at the Science Centre are employed by
an outside contractor, Levy Canada, who told the union that they
were not given advance warning of the closure of the Science Centre
either.
"OPSEU/SEFPO has met with Levy Canada, and we will work with
them to try and redeploy as many of our food services workers as
possible," said Hornick.
Since the surprise announcement of the closure of the Ontario
Science Centre last Friday, analysis of the engineering report has
determined that only a small percentage of the Science Centre roof
needs critical repairs, and that all repairs can be done without
closing the entire facility to the public. Investors are also
stepping forward with donations to fund the necessary repairs.
"This government is clearly trying to find excuses for closing
down this beautiful, historic building," said Hornick. "But they
didn't count on how many people across Ontario love the Science Centre and want it to
stay open, right where it is."
"It isn't too late," concluded Hornick. "We demand that the Ford
government open the Ontario Science Centre back up immediately, fix
that roof, and keep this educational treasure open for good."
SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)