Dozens of Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) members have received layoff notices around the province.
In a statement, Thursday, the union says it impacts not only those who work in the tourism sector but in construction as well as agriculture.
President Sandra Mullen says the move comes after the finance minister reassured workers frontline jobs would not be cut.
She says with legislature about to begin, February 23, they will be listening for any further attacks.
“This has become an all too familiar situation in Nova Scotia. Governments make big spending commitments favoured by corporations, they reduce revenue through tax cuts, and then when it comes time to be held accountable, it’s the workers who are left to pay the price,” says Mullen.
Visitor centres, museums to close
The department of tourism declined an interview with Acadia News but in a statement they say the way people travel has changed as more people plan their trips online.
So, they are “modernizing” how they deliver their information.
As part of the shift, the Visitor Information Centre at the New Brunswick border outside of Amherst will only be open from May to October, instead of year-round.
The remaining Visitor Information Centres in Yarmouth, Port Hastings, Peggy’s Cove and the Halifax airport are now permanently closed.
These will affect about 30 employees. Three were offered seasonal employment, while seven jobs were terminated.
“We recognize these changes have an impact on employees and their families. We’re grateful for their service and their commitment to welcoming visitors to our province,” says the department.
Opposition blames overspending
The official opposition blames the move on overspending.
In a statement the NDP says the PC’s game into office with a balanced budget and it’s not the fault of the communities’ losing services or the people or the people whose jobs have been eliminated.
“People are working hard to take care of their families and pay their bills. Nova Scotians gave this government the benefit of the doubt that they would make life more affordable, fix health care, and create jobs. But they haven’t done that, and now they have to explain themselves,” says the statement.
