Defence cuts 122 jobs in N.B.

New Brunswick is losingmore than 120Department of National Defence civilian jobs as part of federal cuts across the country.

Canadian Forces Base Gagetown will lose 98 positions, Moncton, 23, and Fredericton, one.

About 300 families at the Moncton Garrison will also be moved over two years, as the base is reduced from four units to one reservist unit.

There is no word yet on exactly who will be laid off or when, said Morris Shannon, president of Local 6303 of the Union of National Defence Employees.

But the cuts are expected to affect workers across the boardfrom electricians to labourers and kitchen staff.

The lack of consultation and information from Ottawa is making things worse, said Shannon.

"A lot of people are scared. A lot of people don't know what to expect. They're scared for their livelihood," he said.

"As we all know, whenever anybody is faced with the potential to lose their job, it's going to create a lot of unrest among people."

Shannon expects employees will receive redundancy notices on Tuesday. The union is hoping it can minimize the number of people who actually lose their jobs through retirements and re-training for vacancies.

Workers react

Some civilian workers were shocked about the local cuts.

"I had no idea until you told me, I had no idea that they were doing that," said Christy Collicott, who works at Base Gagetown.

Fellow employee Victor Carr said hes "neither here nor there.

"I'm almost at retirement age, but its a shame for the young people," he said.

Leah Prosser is also worried about the impact on those who survive the cuts.

"It also increases the burden left to those who are left working on the base, trying to still fulfill what the needs are and the requirements of the work."

In Moncton, military families were assessing their futures with the planned closure of the base.

Ann Walsh-Sheppard said the closure has been rumoured for some time, but many people didnt want to talk about it. Its part of the lifestyle, she said.

"Military wives will tell you there's kind of a rule of thumb: You don't believe that you're moving until there's a truck in your driveway and your possessions are being loaded on. You don't believe he's home until he's in the door."

Uncertainty is part of the job as a military wife, she said, noting shes already moved three times with her husband.

"That's just the nature of what it is. I mean, I knew, when I met my husband, what his job was. So some trades move more than others. But that's what we do," Walsh-Sheppard said.

"It certainly gets harder the more people are involved in the family. but you adapt. It's not wonderful, but it's what we do, I guess."

Department of National Defence officials declined to discuss the cuts until they speak directly with the workers.

But in an emailed statement, they said its time to reduce staff now that the Afghanistan mission is winding down.

Since 2005, more than 5,400 civilians were hiredan increase of 25 per centto help sustain combat operations in Southern Afghanistan, they said.

The 122 layoffs in New Brunswick are part of about 1,200 to take place across the country.

They're part of cost-cutting measures announced in last week's federal budget.