Photo: Contributed

Layoff notices were handed out to 54 employees at the Vancouver Sun and Province on Friday, including 29 journalists.

“Today is going to be a tough day for all of us,” Unifor Local 2000 president Brian Gibson wrote the union website. “For those that receive notice today, just know we are all so very sorry and are thinking about you.”

Parent company Postmedia announced the layoffs two weeks ago, as the company pushes forward with plans to cut 20 per cent of its workforce. Thirty-eight buyout packages were handed out at the Vancouver newspapers in January.

Postmedia continues to battle declining revenues in print advertising and circulation, with 2017 Q1 earnings reports showing 22 per cent and 9 per cent declines respectively.

I've just been laid off. It's been an honour working here and reporting for B.C. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/jw75bh7JDy

— Nick Eagland (@nickeagland) March 24, 2017