Mercury Graphics to give workers
nothing after it closes plant

Striking workers at Mercury Graphic in Saskatoon will get barely any severance – less than even the law prescribes – if the Company has its way with the planned plant closure.

CEP National Rep Rhoda Cossar said that recent meetings with the Employer went badly. “The meetings were an absolute waste of time.  The Company’s position on a fair severance is appalling,” said Cossar.

CEP Local 721G met with the Company and listed 11 demands, including severance pay of two weeks per year of service.

“The Company insulted us with an offer of $2,500 for each employee.  This offer even falls short of what is allowed for in Labour Standards,” said Cossar.

Long-term members are owed $40,000 to $50,000 in severance.  The Company doesn’t want to pay it. The Company won’t agree to any money for re-training skilled workers it is putting on the street because of its greed.

The workers wanted to extend the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to transition workers from long-term employment to new jobs, re-training or just getting used to a dramatically different work and home life.

“The Company would not even agree to continue the EAP program for 6 months after the closure.  They felt people would abuse it!!” said an exasperated Cossar.

The Local is now examining its legal options to force this Company to at the very least adhere to its legal obligations on plant closure.