They handed over their keys and said their goodbyes.
Commissionaires at P.E.I.'s three largest referral hospitals left their former workplaces at midnight Saturday, each of them facing a new beginning with much uncertainty.
"Maybe some of us will go on to bigger and better things," said former commissionaire Wendy Gallant. "Then there are some of us who don't have a job to go to."
The 40 commissionaires were effectively laid off when Paladin Security's four-year contract with Health P.E.I. came into effect Sunday.
Gallant, one of those stationed at the QEH, said it was a difficult final shift for the group, some of whom have worked at the hospital for more than 10 years.
"It's pretty hard now that we wont be seeing each other and all of the people in the hospital everyday," said Gallant. "We were just like a big family."
The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires is a not-for-profit group created in 1949 to provide employment largely for retired Canadian Armed Forces, ex-RCMP and security personnel.
RELATED: Commissionaires laid off at P.E.I. hospitals as security contract changes
The commissionaires received notice in September that the corps had been outbid on the deal for the contract, valued at $4.2 million.
It was devastating news for commissionaires, with some of those affected having been brought to tears during the announcement.
The job loss also stung David Gallant, who had begun working at the hospital about six months ago.
"I was there long enough to get a good feel for the job and I really enjoyed it, but unfortunately it ended," said David.
It's the second time he's faced employment uncertainty recently in P.E.I., having previously been an employee of the Borden McCain's plant for about 25 years.
That plant closed a year ago.
"It was a good-paying job for a lot of years, but when I look back it was probably the best thing that happened to me," said David, who then returned to school.
He was then hired by the commissionaires and found himself providing security as well as often greeting patients arriving at the hospital.
"I enjoyed doing the front door. There's a lot of elderly people coming into the hospital and a lot of them are kind of nervous, you just treat them with respect. They're human beings."
Peter Kramers, CEO of the New Brunswick and P.E.I. commissionaires, was on hand Saturday to thank employees for what he said was an excellent job performing their roles.
"They were all excellent and professionals," he said.
The 40 who were laid off were among P.E.I.'s 178 commissionaires, who are tasked with providing security at a number of locations in the province.
Several other commissionaires declined to be interviewed by The Guardian, citing concerns over possible future employment.
The Vancouver-based Paladin had previously offered commissionaires the opportunity to re-apply for their jobs.
Of the 32 commissionaires stationed at the QEH, three have taken the company up on their offer despite seeing a cut in pay.
"They're going to try it out and see how it goes," said Gallant.
They handed over their keys and said their goodbyes.
Commissionaires at P.E.I.'s three largest referral hospitals left their former workplaces at midnight Saturday, each of them facing a new beginning with much uncertainty.
"Maybe some of us will go on to bigger and better things," said former commissionaire Wendy Gallant. "Then there are some of us who don't have a job to go to."
The 40 commissionaires were effectively laid off when Paladin Security's four-year contract with Health P.E.I. came into effect Sunday.
Gallant, one of those stationed at the QEH, said it was a difficult final shift for the group, some of whom have worked at the hospital for more than 10 years.
"It's pretty hard now that we wont be seeing each other and all of the people in the hospital everyday," said Gallant. "We were just like a big family."
The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires is a not-for-profit group created in 1949 to provide employment largely for retired Canadian Armed Forces, ex-RCMP and security personnel.
RELATED: Commissionaires laid off at P.E.I. hospitals as security contract changes
The commissionaires received notice in September that the corps had been outbid on the deal for the contract, valued at $4.2 million.
It was devastating news for commissionaires, with some of those affected having been brought to tears during the announcement.
The job loss also stung David Gallant, who had begun working at the hospital about six months ago.
"I was there long enough to get a good feel for the job and I really enjoyed it, but unfortunately it ended," said David.
It's the second time he's faced employment uncertainty recently in P.E.I., having previously been an employee of the Borden McCain's plant for about 25 years.
That plant closed a year ago.
"It was a good-paying job for a lot of years, but when I look back it was probably the best thing that happened to me," said David, who then returned to school.
He was then hired by the commissionaires and found himself providing security as well as often greeting patients arriving at the hospital.
"I enjoyed doing the front door. There's a lot of elderly people coming into the hospital and a lot of them are kind of nervous, you just treat them with respect. They're human beings."
Peter Kramers, CEO of the New Brunswick and P.E.I. commissionaires, was on hand Saturday to thank employees for what he said was an excellent job performing their roles.
"They were all excellent and professionals," he said.
The 40 who were laid off were among P.E.I.'s 178 commissionaires, who are tasked with providing security at a number of locations in the province.
Several other commissionaires declined to be interviewed by The Guardian, citing concerns over possible future employment.
The Vancouver-based Paladin had previously offered commissionaires the opportunity to re-apply for their jobs.
Of the 32 commissionaires stationed at the QEH, three have taken the company up on their offer despite seeing a cut in pay.
"They're going to try it out and see how it goes," said Gallant.
