Having closed its branches due to the pandemic, the Vancouver Island Regional Library is laying off most of its staff.
Layoff notices were issued to members of its two unions Wednesday. Those belonging to the BCGEU will be paid full wages and benefits for up to eight weeks. Those in CUPE will receive them for 30 days.
A statement from the library system said VIRL is trying to do what is best for its workers.
鈥淎ll options are on the table, including extending the length of time that employees continue to receive their wages and benefits,鈥� it said.
鈥淲e are also hopeful that, at least in some branches, we may be able to return to offering limited services in the days and weeks ahead and look forward to engaging our employees on their ideas to ensure that our communities can access our services.鈥�
The system operates branches on most of Vancouver Island, including in Sidney and Sooke, but is separate from the Greater Victoria Public Library, whose dozen branches have also been closed.
