Layoffs are coming at Thompson Rivers University.

In a letter sent out internally to staff, the executive director of Human Resources Larry Phillips says 80 unionized employees will be laid off over the next week, starting tomorrow.

Those layoffs won’t take effect though for four month, because of the union agreement between CUPE and TRU.

Phillips says those layoffs would be rescinded if the school’s financial situation improves by September. It has been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says discussions with employee groups will continue through the summer, until enrolment numbers and the financial picture for the fall become more clear.

“I am aware that we are all under immense pressure and change. This is a new situation for us, and we are adapting in a way that we haven’t had to before as a university community,” Phillips says.