Telus World of Science emergency fund offers relief to 145 laid-off workers
Civic Service Union 52 announced a $175,000 emergency relief fund for unionized staff after catastrophic flooding forced the museum to close until November.
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Unionized workers displaced by catastrophic flooding at Edmonton's Telus World of Science will receive emergency financial support while the museum rebuilds.
Civic Service Union 52 announced Thursday a $175,000 emergency relief fund for its roughly 145 members who were temporarily laid off after flooding over the weekend. The museum is expected to remain closed until November.
The layoffs affect all but a few of the 180 union workers employed at the science centre. The emergency relief fund will provide one-time payments of $1,000 for part-time employees and $1,800 for full-time employees who lost their job or experienced an equivalent unpaid interruption of scheduled work.
"Nothing can replace the stability of ongoing employment, but emergency financial support can certainly help alleviate a challenging and unanticipated setback like this," CSU 52 President Bryce Jowett said.
The museum's CEO Constance Scarlett described the damage from the thunderstorm as "extensive." The flooding came after a powerful summer storm swept over Edmonton late last weekend, inundating roadways, homes, businesses, and city facilities across the region.
The facts
How much money is in the emergency relief fund?
$175,000 in emergency financial support was announced by Civic Service Union 52 for unionized workers at Telus World of Science.
How many workers were laid off?
Approximately 145 unionized members at Telus World of Science were temporarily laid off after the flooding, out of roughly 180 total union workers employed at the science centre.
How much will each worker receive?
Part-time employees at Telus World of Science will receive one-time payments of $1,000, while full-time employees will receive $1,800.
When will Telus World of Science reopen?
Telus World of Science is expected to remain closed until November 2026 following the catastrophic flooding.
