Simon Fraser University has laid off of dozens of staff across its three B.C. campuses in Burnaby, Vancouver, and Surrey.

The university said it eliminated approximately 85 jobs since Monday due to budgetary challenges. The positions include instructors, administrative support staff, and custodial workers.

SFU announced in April it would be restructuring areas of its operations, noting it would lead to administrative job losses. The university says it is supporting impacted employees in accordance with collective agreements and labour codes, but union leaders say the process lacked empathy and transparency.

Shaneza Bacchus, president of CUPE Local 3338, said she has been in wall-to-wall meetings with laid-off union members, some of whom had worked at SFU for decades.

“They felt dehumanized. They felt that their years of service didn’t matter. One of them said they felt like they were treated like a criminal,” Bacchus said.