Council updated on plans to help A.O. Smith staff
A work plan is being developed to help employees impacted by the recent decision to end manufacturing at the A.O. Smith plant in Fergus.
On April 3, A.O. Smith announced its plan to consolidate residential and light commercial water heater manufacturing into other North American plants.
The move affects 350 employees in manufacturing and related support functions. The Fergus facility will remain the central office of A.O. Smith’s Canadian business, with a total of approximately 125 employees staying on.
On April 15, Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj updated members of council with regard to the development of an action plan to assist those affected. She said a meeting on April 16 was intended to unveil that action plan.
Ross-Zuj described it as a coming together of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; union workers and the plant.
Later that day, the mayor anticipated a meeting with Eric Hoskins, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, to review the day’s events.
She hoped to have more information for council members after that point.
