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CHCH News was hit with a massive layoff Friday afternoon.

More than half of the staff is gone, many had been there for over 30 years, some even more.

Around 4:00pm on Friday CHCH employees learned of the stations restructuring at the same time as the viewer.

Employees were separated into two groups and learned that Channel Eleven filed for bankruptcy. 71 people were offered a new job under a new company and 96 were were laid off.

Included are many faces that viewers have come to know over three or more decades.

Everyone who was laid off on Friday was a member of a union who typically has seniority rights and also they were offered no severance.

Unifor President, Jerry Diaz says that they will pursue something for the members going forward, and that process will begin when the union meets with the company on Wednesday.

Chris Fuoco, Vice President of Sales at Channel Zero says they were faced with the choice of mass layoffs, or shutting down the station completely.

Going forward Morning Live will air between 7am to 9am, the 6’oclock newcast will be anchored by Nick Dixon and Taz Boga and Taz will return for a half hour at 11:00pm.