Child protection workers in Terrace, Prince Rupert and Kitimat have received word that six full time positions will be eliminated in their region because of provincial government budget cuts.
Staff-who work with vulnerable children and families at risk-were told by their managers that the cuts are necessary to ensure that the office can balance the costs of front line social workers with the money allocated by the Campbell government to pay for salaries.
It's anticipated that child protection and guardianship services across the north will face similar cuts.
Darryl Walker, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union, says he's concerned by the news.
"Poverty is at the root of most child protection cases." says Walker, "With rising unemployment and more people on welfare, the economic downturn has put even more pressure on families-particularly in northern communities like Terrace.
"The Campbell government is leaving children and families at risk and will add to the overwhelming caseloads of social workers," says Walker. "Instead of cutting staff in this high stress occupation, Victoria should be boosting funding and lowering caseloads."
Staff were told efforts will be made to implement the layoffs through attrition and leaving vacancies unfilled, but they were warned layoffs may occur. They were also encouraged to apply for vacant positions in Dease Lake-600 kilometres to the north.
Walker also slammed the Ministry of Children and Families for failing to inform the union ahead of time that the cuts were on the way. "We have a process in our contract to deal with these issues-but ministry officials were mum on the cuts at a recent MCF labour-management meeting, where government officials had an obligation to tell us what was up."
Walker says he has written the new MCF minister Mary Polak seeking a meeting to raise concerns about the proposed cuts, and to make the case for the Liberals to step up investment in social programs to help British Columbians weather the economic crisis.
