Media Advisory - NDP Leader Andrea Horwath to Join Rally for A.O. Smith Employees, Retirees

FERGUS, ON, June 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, MPP Catherine Fife and United Steelworkers Ontario Director Marty Warren will join a rally Saturday to demand fairness for workers and pensioners victimized by A.O. Smith's shutdown of its manufacturing plant in Fergus.

WHAT:						Rally in support of A.O. Smith employees and retirees
WHERE:						Behind A.O. Smith factory parking lot
						St. George Street West (between Maple St. and Breadalbane St.)
						Fergus, ON
WHEN:						Saturday, June 15, 2013
						11:00 a.m.
WHO:						A.O. Smith workers and pensioners, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath,
						MPP Catherine Fife, Steelworkers Ontario Director Marty Warren

Billion-dollar American corporation A.O. Smith has precipitated a pension crisis for workers and retirees by shutting down its water heater factory in Fergus and moving production to the U.S.

A.O. Smith has reported to shareholders that it will enjoy "pre-tax annual savings of $10 million" from the shutdown. However, the company is refusing to help Fergus workers and retirees whose pension plan will experience a significant shortfall as a direct result of the factory shutdown.

The United Steelworkers, which represents the Fergus workers, is calling on consumers to stop buying the company's products, most of which are found under the Whirlpool and GSW brands. Consumers are encouraged to 'buy Canadian' water heaters, namely the Giant brand available at Rona stores.

 

 

SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)

Contacts:

Marty Warren, USW District 6 Director, 416-243-8792, 519-504-9099
Jackie Edwards, USW Strategic Campaigns, 416-886-0962, 416-544-5962, [email protected]
Denis St. Pierre, USW Communications, 416-544-5990, 647-522-1630, [email protected]