Ont. government announces support for laid-off workers in Glencoe, Ont.

The Ontario government is investing $272,165 in a new employment action centre to help the 116 manufacturing workers impacted by the closure of the Cooper-Standard plant connect with the services and training they need to find new jobs and further their careers.

“Ontario’s workers are the backbone of our economy and we want to ensure no one is left behind,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government is proud to give a hand-up to workers in Glencoe so they can explore new opportunities, land better jobs and earn bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.”

Working in partnership with Unifor National and Unifor Local 27, the Cooper-Standard Action Centre will work with community partners to provide a variety of supports and services to the technicians, support staff, assembly line staff, and skilled trades workers who have lost their jobs. These supports include short term training for in-demand jobs, literacy and essential skills training, budgeting and financial training as well as mental health supports. The action centre will also be hosting a job fair in the community to connect employers and workers.

“It was with great regret that we were given the news of Cooper-Standard closing,” said Brian Chapman, President Unifor Local 27. “This workplace has played an important role not only within Local 27 but also within the Glencoe community, providing good paying jobs for decades. Clearly, we would very much prefer that we were talking about adding new product to this plant. Unfortunately, that is not the case, so we are very happy that the government has stepped up and will be assisting these workers in finding their way forward to a successful future.

“The Ontario government’s support for the Glencoe Action Centre will see vital resources to help deal with the loss of jobs, as a Union we know and understand that when we provide this kind of assistance to workers and particularly to senior workers who have not experienced searching for a job online along with resume writing and the whole interview process, that their success rate of re-entering the workforce is much higher.”

“The employees of Cooper-Standard have been awarded with some of the best quality control recognitions in the automotive industry. Small communities like Glencoe are big on skilled workers and loyal employees. As Mayor of Southwest Middlesex, I encourage the manufacturing community to consider the positive experience that will await new investment in our municipality. A premium industrial facility awaits inspection in a progressive community. Glencoe is the hub of commercial and industrial property in our region. A competitively priced footprint, a transportation network that connects you to three U. S. border crossings, access to skilled trades, health, and childcare facilities,” said Allan Mayhew, Mayor of Southwest Middlesex.