Kits Coast Guard Station workers handed pink slips

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The federal government’s plan to shut down the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station is a step closer to becoming a reality.

Retired base commander Fred Moxey says some workers at the building including senior staff have already been given layoff notices.

“One of the officers in charge at this station has moved over to Vancouver Island, and an officer’s pool will relieve other coast guard station’s commanding officers…Some of the staff on January seventh will be pulled out of the station and moved out of the hovercraft base on Sea Island,” says Moxey.

He says all workers will have a job as long as they are okay with being transferred or other options are offered.

“Management has to give the union a 60 day notice and they haven’t done that yet.  That could happen any day now.  My opinion is that they’re going to downsize the station very soon if not close it before the May first deadline.”

Like many critics, he’s worried the potential closure is a move that will result in deaths.

“It’s unbelievable that they’re still going ahead with this.  It’ll be the only port without a coast guard station,” argues Moxey.

The planned closure is related to federal government’s  budget cuts.

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