CUPE says it was blindsided by the capital city’s announcement that some two dozen full-time jobs are being eliminated at City Hall and Mile One as part of the city’s budgetary process.

Ten of those positions are currently vacant and will not be filled, but eight people have received layoffs and are in the process of determining bumping rights.

St. John’s Sports and Entertainment has terminated five full-time positions and laid off another two full-time positions.

CUPE President Sherry Hillier says most surprising was the fact that the layoffs are coming at Mile One at the same time that Downtown St. John’s announced that the public will be invited into the stadium to visit with Santa in lieu of the Christmas parade.

Hillier says the union was shocked by the news. She says the union has secured recall rights for the next three years under their current collective agreement.