OPSEU wants to stop AGO layoffs

TORONTO, Ont. - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union wants the Art Gallery of Ontario to "cease and desist" from laying off almost 40 of its staff members.

It comes on the heels of a cash injection from Ottawa.

The job cuts are expected to come by the end of this month and will include educators and historic artifact experts.

According to the OPSEU, the layoffs are happening during the planned expansion of the AGO and in the midst of the booming King Tut exhibit.

However, the gallery said the cuts are temporary and the positions would be re-instated once the expansion is completed by fall 2011.