Rivière-du-Loup, 16th January 2009 -- A page of the industrial history of Rivière-du-Loup is turned over today with the closure of the Calko plant. Almost 40 workers of this lace manufacturer are loosing their jobs. 

“This company was inaugurated in the Fifties, and we have represented the workers since the mid Eighties,” explained Serge Bérubé, President of the Teamsters Local Union 1999. I’m sad to see them go.”

The company’s management decided some months ago to transfer activities to its Montreal plant. No meeting could be scheduled between the employers and the union in order to discuss the possibility of keeping operations going in Rivière-du-Loup. Indeed, some machines have already been shipped to Montreal. Certain employees had almost 40 years seniority.

A relocation committee has been set up in order to limit the impact of the plant’s closure on the workforce. Companies within the region whose employees are members of Teamsters will be contacted to determine whether they have jobs available. 

“We hope we can find jobs for those workers, who have been Calko people all their life,” concluded Serge Bérubé. “I feel they deserve it.”

For information contact:    

Stéphane Lacroix
Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
514-609-5101