For Immediate Release
Fort Erie, ON – Once again the members of IAMAW Local Lodge 171 will face the possibility of losing their jobs after Pharmetics Incorporated announced it is phasing out its Fort Erie facility.
The 180 members reluctantly ratified a five-year agreement, which included a wage cut of $ .45 per hour in the fifth year, reduction of benefits and no pension contributions in order to save their jobs when the employer threatened closure. “Even with these concessions the employer could not find new customers and this has led to the phasing out of production,” said IAMAW Spokesperson Gord Falconer. “We have a highly skilled and qualified workforce here and we’re hoping another buyer can be found.”
The Fort Erie produces and packages tablets, liquid creams and enzyme-based products in 60 product lines for ten clients. Pharmetics has said it will honour its current customer contracts from the Fort Erie facility but it will not seek any new business for the plant. “Our members are very upset, and concerned about what the future will bring for themselves, their families and the community as a whole,” said Falconer.
Fort Erie, ON – Once again the members of IAMAW Local Lodge 171 will face the possibility of losing their jobs after Pharmetics Incorporated announced it is phasing out its Fort Erie facility.
The 180 members reluctantly ratified a five-year agreement, which included a wage cut of $ .45 per hour in the fifth year, reduction of benefits and no pension contributions in order to save their jobs when the employer threatened closure. “Even with these concessions the employer could not find new customers and this has led to the phasing out of production,” said IAMAW Spokesperson Gord Falconer. “We have a highly skilled and qualified workforce here and we’re hoping another buyer can be found.”
The Fort Erie produces and packages tablets, liquid creams and enzyme-based products in 60 product lines for ten clients. Pharmetics has said it will honour its current customer contracts from the Fort Erie facility but it will not seek any new business for the plant. “Our members are very upset, and concerned about what the future will bring for themselves, their families and the community as a whole,” said Falconer.
The Montréal-based Pharmetics, in a contract pharmaceutical and nutritional contract manufacturer specializing in retail brand markets.
IAMAW, among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, represents more than 700,000 active and retired members, and administers more than 5,000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense related industries.