More than 50 food services workers at the Ontario Science Centre will be laid off in the next few days, according to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
“Four days after the Ford government said there would be no immediate job losses from closing the Ontario Science Centre, the layoffs are starting,” OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick said in a press release on Tuesday.
“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,” they continued.
This comes after the science centre suddenly shut down last Friday following an engineering report from Rimkus Consulting Group that revealed structural issues related to a potential roof collapse.
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The union says the food services workers are employed by outside contractor Levy Canada.
“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,” Hornick said.
Over the weekend, dozens of local residents and community members rallied at Wells Hill Park in an attempt to save the Ontario Science Centre.
Advocacy groups for the science centre argue the report found that only a small percentage of the roof needs critical repairs and all other repairs would be low-risk to the public and can be done without closing the entire building.
“This government is clearly trying to find excuses for closing down this beautiful, historic building. 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,” Hornick said.
“It isn’t too late,” added 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.”
