Managers and employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs attended meetings Thursday afternoon to learn about job reductions.

A DVA spokesperson said in an email to CBC News that 233 letters regarding reductions were sent across the country. Many of those positions are expected to be cut through attrition, and not layoffs, but that did little to soften the news for the Union of Veterans Affairs Employees.

"Whenever there is job losses we feel it," said union national vice president Debi Buell.

"It's really heart wrenching to hear this and job losses are not good in these times."

Twenty two positions at the head office in Charlottetown will be affected, but with about 135 staff eligible to retire few layoffs are expected.

The union says it was told eight district offices across the country are due to close next year.