With the recent announcement of the ending of A.O. Smith manufacturing operations in Fergus, Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said the main focus now is how to help out those impacted by the decision.
At the beginning of the April 8 meeting the mayor commented, “As many of you are aware, we’ve had the announcement of the closure of A.O. Smith in Fergus.”
The municipality received notification on April 3 that the manufacturing operations in Fergus would cease.
While 125 workers will remain in the plant in sales and marketing, Ross-Zuj said, “The sad part is that we will be losing the manufacturing component.”
Explaining the situation to members of council, Ross-Zuj said, “The response from the company is that the decision was difficult, but a matter of the state of the economy today. They are over capacity with the product they are producing and the economy of the world is such that they have had to make some cuts and this is one of the areas.
“Unfortunately we have been hit with this decision.”
Ross-Zuj added that following the announcement, her first concern was for the 350 workers and their families who will have to face the “awful decision” that has been made.
“Now the question is – what are we going to do to get the proper support systems in place to help them through this very trying time?”
She said there is three months to get something in place, as the last day of operations for the manufacturing part of the Fergus plant is June 28.
“In those three months, a lot of things can happen.”
Ross-Zuj explained that those involved are working on an adjustment plan, created by various government support services/agencies, to help each and every one of the employees.
She said the intent is to help with whatever needs occur, whether it is reorganization, a new life plan, ways to seek new employment or decisions regarding pensions and other details.
“We are scrambling to put all of that into place because there are support systems from the provincial government, support systems from the union and support systems from the plant itself (A.O. Smith).”
She added, “As of this morning (April 8), all three are coordinating to bring together all the supports which will be necessary.
“The idea is not to have people tripping over one another, but to have a coordinated approach – to provide what is needed 24/7.”
Ross-Zuj said she met with Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott
