Supporters of the Red Deer College Bookstore will rally in front of the college at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Last week, college president Joel Ward confirmed that he is courting private companies to take over operations of the bookstore effective July 15. The 11 staff, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1445, will be laid off.
Union representative Bruce McLeod issued a press statement on Tuesday, announcing students, staff and concerned residents of Red Deer are invited to meet at 32nd Street and College Avenue to take part in a rally set up to “protect” the book store.
Contracting its services to a private company will mean high costs for students and the loss of one of the few departments that generates revenue for the college, said McLeod.
Ward said last week that the new contractor, still to be selected, would have to complete an extensive renovation and offer the college an annual fee that matches or exceeds the bookstore’s annual profit. Last year, the bookstore earned profits of about $400,000.