Submitted by the Office of Welland, Ontario Riding MPP Cindy Forster
QUEEN’S PARK, April 25, 2013 – Laid off Vertis Communications workers who have been denied severance pay by their former employer converged on Queen’s Park where Welland MPP Cindy Forster raised their case in question period, and called on Premier Wynne to help.
Welland, Ontario MPP abd NDP member Cindy Forster
“On January 16, 100 plus people lost their jobs when U.S. owned Vertis Communications Company abruptly closed in Fort Erie,” explained Forster. “Since then, they have been fighting to get $2.4 million worth of pension plans, benefits and severance packages they are owed.”
US-based Vertis has declared bankruptcy. However, because the Canadian subsidiary of the company has not declared bankruptcy, workers are being denied severance pay under the Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP), which normally offers benefits to workers of Canadian companies that declare bankruptcy.
“The provincial government is responsible for ensuring that workers get the severance rightfully owed to them by their employer,” said Forster. “Premier, you have a responsibility to act. What are you going to do to fix this profoundly unfair situation?” Vertis workers attended question period, and then hosted a press conference to discuss their case, and their ongoing fight for the benefits normally available to Canadian workers.
“This is a very serious case, for these workers, their families, and all Ontarians,” said Forster after question period. “Fort Erie has already been hard hit by the recession, and other plant closures. And now more than 100 workers and their families don’t know how they will make ends meet.”
Forster says the situation is concerning for many more Ontario workers.
“As foreign ownership of Canadian manufacturers continues to grow, and global financial markets continue to struggle, more and more Ontarians could be exposed to similar situations,” said Forster. “We need to take a serious look at these loopholes, and figure out the best way to protect the rights of Ontario workers.”
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Niagara At Large 
my neighbour is in her 60s, a widow she lost her job at Vertis, also after many years of service. I hear her story and feel for her.
Governments go to bat for her and the others
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You are fighting for the govt severence that will give you $3200. UIC will stop your UIC until all that $3200 is used up,they deduct dollar for dollar. What is the purpose?
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I for one as a former Vertis employee with 29 years service am happy someone is standing up with us in our fight against Vertis Communications.
Vertis shut down their printing facility in Stevensville after 40 profitable years with only 24 hours notice to employees and went back to the U.S. under bankruptcy protection.
Cindy Forster and Taras Natyshak have been the only politicians to step forward and help Canadian workers try to obtain severance packages denied but legally owed to them under Canadian Labour Laws, between 2.5 million and 3 million dollars. What doesn’t make sense to me is instead of our government collecting taxes of approximately 1 million dollars, tax payers will be shelling out approximately 500 thousand dollars.
Kim Craitor says his hands are tied and doesn’t really know how he can help us but always has time to show up for a photo opp.
Tim Hudak has completely ignored our emails and phone calls for help. This is a politician who was born and raised right here in Fort Erie.
After contacting Rob Nicholson, a former lawyer from the Niagara Area and currently the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, his response to Vertis employees was, (get a lawyer).
Imagine the fight politicians would put forward if suddenly they faced a similar situation. For instance, no entitlement to lifetime pension and health care.
Imagine Canada trying to do this injustice to America workers.
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