Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) is sharing the difficult news that temporary layoffs of 29 full-time support and administrative staff are underway as a result of the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the college.

“Since the onset of these unprecedented times, DC’s leadership team has been meeting regularly to continuously review effects on the college’s operations and finances,” said Jennifer Cosway, associate vice-president, Human Resources. “Numerous measures have been put in place to stem financial shortfalls, yet even with these swift actions taken by DC, a significant deficit persists. As a result, the college took the difficult step of notifying union leadership and staff of the need to proceed with temporary employee reductions.”

On June 17, the support staff local voted in favour of a centrally negotiated agreement providing for temporary staffing reductions that include continued provision of benefits coverage for affected individuals. The agreement for temporary layoffs provided a more positive option to the alternative, which would have been permanent bumping under article 15 of the collective agreement for full-time support staff.

Affected administrative employees will see the same provision of benefits coverage.

“Administrative and support employees who are being directly impacted by the announced temporary layoffs have been advised,” said Cosway. “DC’s leadership team recognizes what a difficult time this is for employees, and our college community as a whole. We remain committed to supporting our colleagues as we continue to navigate these challenging times.”

DC is continuing to provide support to all employees through access to the college’s employee and family assistance provider.

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About Durham College

With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, Durham College (DC) offers approximately 13,400 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and nine apprenticeship programs, including the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science and Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management.

DC enables students to develop the career-ready skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market by connecting them with expert faculty and offering quality programs. With a focus on experiential learning through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads have the skills and knowledge employers need.

The Oshawa campus features DC’s newest building, the Centre for Collaborative Education, which represents the college’s commitment to working with local business and community partners while bringing together local, Indigenous and global communities and members of key business sectors.

DC’s Whitby campus is home to the Skills Training Centre, where students receive hands-on training and instruction in industrial-grade shop labs for carpentry, HVAC, welding, elevating devices and crane operation, among others. The campus also features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Melissa McLean (she/her/hers)
Communications and Marketing
647.880.6363
melissa.mclean@durhamcollege.ca