The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City laid off 37 employees today, according to Elizabeth Romanaux, vice president of communications.
32 full-time and five part-time workers – ranging from adminstrators to floor staff – were let go, as the center is facing a budget shortfall. Romanaux said she cannot predict if there would be any future layoffs. Laid-off employees will receive a severance package of one week for every year they worked there.
“The layoffs helps put the Liberty Science Center back in a position where we hope to have a surplus by the end of the year,” Romanaux said.
The Jersey City City Council, in a controversial vote in November, approved a $2.5 million no-interest loan to the Science Center. The matter was supported by Mayor Jerramiah Healy, an honorary trustee member of the museum. – Ricardo Kaulessar