Long-time staff member at Brock University shaken after new wave of layoffs

A long-time Brock University staff member said she was being let go, weeks after union representatives said the school was laying off more support staff workers.

The school told CHCH News that fewer than 12 positions will be reduced.

Despite the fact that union representatives said around 40 to 50 of its members would be affected by layoffs.

Koreen McCullough worked at Brock for over 20 years, and before that she was a student.

Last month she heard rumours about layoffs, but when she found herself on the chopping block, she felt betrayed.

“My initial response was really just shock and disbelief,” said McCullough.

McCullough is an academic administrator for the communication, pop culture and film department at Brock University.

She has worked at the university for over 20 years, but around three weeks ago everything changed.

“I was informed that my job was no longer, and that I was being restructured,” said McCullough.

She was not offered another position and still has to do her job until March 13.

“It’s a tough reality to accept,” said McCullough.

The union representing university support staff believes more cuts are coming.

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Brad Sutherland, the acting president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) said, “we’ve been told that this is step one of four, so there are going to be further cuts at Brock. As to what they are, they don’t share that with us unless it’s OSSTF’s.”

The union had previously said they expected the restructuring to affect 40 to 50 members, however the university sent to CHCH News a statement that said, “While the new model includes many role changes, it will result in an overall headcount reduction of fewer than 12 positions.”

“The university is aware of misinformation being circulated regarding the review and its outcomes,” the statement further reads.

It also says the university is facing significant fiscal challenges and that they are working to improve operations and streamline how they support academic programs, research, and student success.

But McCullough thinks this will hurt students and said, “It’s very upsetting, the choices that are being made right now. I do think that it will negatively impact the student experience.”

Stefan Dolgert, an associate professor of political science at Brock University, shared those concerns.

“It’s their long experience in this system, the new people who are being hired to replace them are being paid far less and will not have any of this experience, so there is not going to be more efficiency for students,” said Dolgert.

“They claim they’re doing this all to save money, but they’re actually continuing to hire very high paying positions, while also sacrificing the people at the other end of the hierarchy.”

The union says it is planning a solidarity event soon in support of affected staff members like McCullough.

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