The union representing workers at Chatham-Kent Children's Services says 40 employees have been laid off as the agency restructures because of new legislation.
OPSEU 148 First Vice President Candice Copeland says layoff notices went out August 14 to 20 full-time and 20 part-time staff of children's aid and child care.
The layoffs were a direct result of new legislation from the province, which is funding up to a dozen new child care workers to support local early years programs. The programs will then be taken over by the municipality.
Copeland says the union wasn't consulted about the layoffs and the workers are now in limbo.
"Trying to see how things are going to fall and we're going through that process right now. There are a lot of people that have been told by the employer that they no longer qualify for any position in the agency," says Copeland.
Kelly Emery, director of Children's Services for the municipality, says the new child care jobs will be posted soon and the laid off workers could be hired if they meet new qualifications.
Copeland hopes the municipality can have the early years programs in place before the current programs end October 27.
Copeland says children's aid will suffer because of the shuffling, and the union will keep fighting to prevent further layoffs.
"This greatly impacts our ability to work with families and children because the current support jobs that are in place, they have great working relationships with the families that we serve," Copeland says.
Stephen Doig, executive director of Chatham-Kent Children's Services, says 14 positions were restructured and admits some laid off workers may not qualify for the new jobs.
He says there are no more layoffs planned.
Doig also says a new and improved children's aid model is coming that should serve families better.
"The families and children should no see a significant difference. There will certainly be a lot more client engagement and listening to the voice of the children and the families in our service planning," says Doig.
