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PAGE 2. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1980, WHITBY FREE PRESS Local 494 shocked at plant closure - majorworrynow is over pension plans By MICHAEL KNELL Free Press Staff The shock and dismay at Firestone Canada's decision to close its Whitby plant was felt most intensely by the 650 people employed there. Bill Love, president of Local 494 of the United Rub- ber Workers, said that the announcement produced "shock and disappoin- tment" among every one of his members. During the interview, it was not hard to distinguish a touch of helplessness and hurried anger in Love's voice. He was especially concer- ned with those people who he said had 30 years "invested" in the plant and were still too young to retire. Love said that about 77 employees of Firestone will be able to retire when the plant closes- on July 18 having both the required 30 years service and being over 55. However, there are over 100 people who may have 30 years service but are not 55, therefore, they will not receive their pension. Love also said that the company will grant a pen- sion to those people who are 55 years old with 20 years service. Those under 45 will have their pensions bested accor- ding to present Ontario law, Love said. Those under 45 will receive severance pay amounting to two to four per cent of their earning during the time they were em- ployed depending upon their senority. The union held a meeting over the week during which over 400 people turned out. "They were all concerned over what happened," Love said. Out of that meeting and at a subsequent one held Mon- day morning, Love said that the union has decided to ask the company three questions. "Is there anything the union can do as far as the company is concerned that would make the company reconsider their decision to close?" "Has the reduction in the tire tariff (that was in- troduced earlier this year) have any bearing on what happened?" "Is the Whitby plant being closed to save jobs in the United States?" Love said that the union is still waiting (at press time) for the company to answer these questions. "If there is anything we can do, we're willing to sit down and discuss it," Love said adding that the union hopes to meet with a representative of Federal Trade, Industry and Com- merce Minister Herb Gray sometime today. Mayor says its "Black Friday" By MICHAEL KNELL Free Press Staff Mayor Jim Gartshore referred to last Friday as a "Black Friday" for the town after learning of Firestone Canada's decision to close its Whitby plant on July 18. On the morning of the an- nouncement, Gartshore met with Firestone president George Aucott, vice- president Robert Stanberry as well as with Durham Region Chairman Walter Beath, MPP George Ashe (PC - Durham West) and MP Scott Fennell (PC - On- tario) to be officially infor- med of the company's decision. "It's a shock to the town," Gartshore said. "They're retrenching around the world." "According to them, the market is deteriorating right around the world because of the longer life of tires. They're forced to shut down because of economics." During the interview Gar- tshore sounded saddened and angry at the company's decision because 650 local people would be jobless when the company closes its gates for the last time on July 18. Gartshore said that the people employed at the Whitby plant represent "25 per cent of the people they have involved in tire manufacturing." 'While the town will con- tinue to collect property taxes on the plant'site, he said that the town stands to lose allout $100,000 next year in business tax. "This is a tramatic situation for the people in- volved and the town - per se," Gartshore said adding that he did not think the closure will adversely affect Whitby's effort to attract new industry. While the promotion has been going "full steam", he did say that the town will "have to put on a more con- centrated effort to attract new industries to fill up those jobs." The Loan Arranger H'11 help you"Pronto" Your heroic Branch Manager is able to save you a 1/2% on Personal Loans over $2,500.00. Offer valid to April 19th. The Loan Arranger can help you look forward to that terrific trip, get behind the wheel of that new car, or take home that coloured T.V. And that's only the beginning ... VICTORLA AND GREY TRUST Contact us in Whitby at: 308 Dundas St W 668-9324 Toronto line 683-7189