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YOUR Independent Community Newspaper
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batteryboy.ca
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017
Vol. 5 Edition 10
Another win for Navistar ex-employees
FREE!
Auto Show attracts all ages
Severance, pension cash could finally begin flowing shortly By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
A recent decision by an Ontario arbitrator should finally lead to closure for the former workers at Chatham’s now-levelled Navistar plant. Rick MacLean, president of Unifor Local 127, said the phones are ringing off the hook at the office following the Feb. 28 decision by arbitrator Owen Shime who ruled in favour of the union, which had been fighting for severance and pensions from the company for Unifor Local 35 and 127 employees who were laid off when the facility closed in July of 2011. The company had dragged its feet on even paying out severance in accordance with the province’s Employment Standards act. According to Unifor personnel, the decision is a victory for the workers and their families. “I’m overjoyed that the members are getting what they are due,” Rick MacLean, president of Unifor Local 127 said. “We can put this behind us. This will be beneficial
to Chatham-Kent. This will be an influx of dollars into the community.” The majority of those dollars will come from the severance package, as most of the pension money will still be tied up in locked-in retirement investment plans, MacLean said. “A lot of the pension money, the members, unless they are over 55, can’t touch it,” he said. “Severance is actual money in the worker’s hand. You can do what you want with that money.” MacLean said Navistar’s foot dragging has gotten the company nowhere. “We’ve won every battle against Navistar so far in the courts and in arbitration,” he said. “It’s been seven years.” “We were in the courts three or four times regarding the pension. They ruled in favour of the union every time. This was the first thing regarding severance,” MacLean added. Timing for the payout of severance and pension should be about two months, MacLean said. Continued on page 2
Bruce Corcoran/The Chatham Voice
Mike Quenneville and daughter Cora, 6, who had the best view in the house, enjoy the Chatham Indoor Auto Show on Sunday. More than 3,000 people turned out over the course of the three-day event.
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