UNDE condemns layoffs at 5 Wing Goose Bay
The Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) is denouncing layoffs announced this week at 5 Wing Goose Bay by Serco, the private contractor operating the base. The cuts come at the same time the federal government is pledging billions in new Defence investments and expanded military infrastructure — highlighting the deep contradictions in Serco’s decision.
According to a November 4 memo from Serco, five civilian positions — including a Customer Service Manager, Mechanic, Supply Operative, Workforce Planner, and HR Coordinator — are being eliminated as part of an “efficiency review.”
“While the federal government promises record investments in Defence, workers at 5 Wing are being handed pink slips,” said June Winger, UNDE National President. “This is the wrong approach. When essential public service work is handed over to for-profit corporations, jobs are lost, costs go up, and Canada’s military readiness suffers. These cuts from Serco make no sense when the government claims it is strengthening our defence capacity.”
Serco operates 5 Wing Goose Bay under a long-term private contract with the Department of National Defence. UNDE has long warned that outsourcing core work at military bases — from maintenance and supply to planning and administration — undermines accountability, safety, and service quality.
“Our members do essential work supporting Canada’s Armed Forces and they deserve stable, fair jobs — not uncertainty and layoffs,” said Shawn Coles, President of UNDE Local 90125. “If the government is serious about building a stronger defence infrastructure, it must stop relying on contractors like Serco and bring this work back into the public service.”
UNDE is calling on the Auditor General to audit the contract with Serco and calling on the federal government to stop layoffs, end contracting out at National Defence, reinvest in civilian public service capacity, and ensure future Defence investments support stable, good-quality jobs in communities like Goose Bay.