Strike-plagued Lever factory declares bankruptcy
Newsbot @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:05 am
Title: Strike-plagued Lever factory declares bankruptcy
Category: Business
Posted By: QBall
Date: 2009-08-11 08:47:14
Canadian
QBall @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:05 am
I guess the 110 workers can thank their union for pissing away their jobs.
ridenrain @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:12 am
Of course.. the Lever factory makes soap. 
I guess the "best-paid workers in the soap manufacturing business" just priced themselves out of the market.
PublicAnimalNo9 @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:30 am
"A lot of us have been trying to go out and get jobs, but we don't have much skills," the 59-year-old said of his fellow workers, many of whom have been working at the plant for more than 30 years with little more than a high school diploma."
Guess ya should'a just been happy with the job ya had then.
I have ZERO sympathy for any of them. I have ZERO sympathy for ANY unionized workers that lose their jobs because of constant strikes.
leewgrant @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:33 am
$1:
While Funtig is still evaluating the company's assets, union spokesman David Moffat said the union doesn't expect Korex is worth enough to offer severance, let alone the outstanding vacation pay owed to workers.
These guys are out of work and the union that caused it now ponders whether they will get any severance? Bad news, Mr Moffat, employees are far down the creditor food chain.
PublicAnimalNo9 @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:37 am
Maybe the union should look after them since the union got em all permanently laid off in the first place. Why the hell should it be anyone else's responsibility?
As I've always said, if you don't like your job or pay, find a different job. And if you can't find a different job then shut the fuck up and be happy you even have one.
bootlegga @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:11 pm
Ahhh, don't you just love unions.
I bet these guys never bothered to read up on the effects of the strike in 2007 at Molson's here in Edmonton...maybe if they had they would still have jobs.
$1:
Unionized workers reacted angrily Tuesday after Molson Canada announced it planned to close its century-old strike-bound brewery in Edmonton at the end of August, throwing 136 workers out of work.
http://www.manufacturing.net/Molson-Coo ... spx?terms=
DrCaleb @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:22 pm
bootlegga bootlegga:
Ahhh, don't you just love unions.
I bet these guys never bothered to read up on the effects of the strike in 2007 at Molson's here in Edmonton...maybe if they had they would still have jobs.
I bet these guys never bothered to read up on the effects of the strike in 2007 at Molson's here in Edmonton...maybe if they had they would still have jobs.
What the name of that Lumber yard on 63rd ave (IIRC) where the workers are still on strike nearly 20 years after being replaced by non-union workers.
Talk about holding out hope. . .
OnTheIce @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:02 pm
Gotta love it. I really enjoy watching these goofs sink themselves.
commanderkai @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:19 pm
OnTheIce OnTheIce:
Gotta love it. I really enjoy watching these goofs sink themselves.
I love when unions make asses of themselves. I hate it when companies suffer for it.
kenmore @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:24 pm
One can always put blame on the union, but there is also a management side that let this drag on... it was probably a decided issue by the company long before the strike.. and living on $25 hr in Toronto isn't exactly living in luxury..
PublicAnimalNo9 @ Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:37 pm
I remember growing up in Windsor I had a T-shirt I called my CAW shirt.
It said, "All I want is less to do, more time to do it in, and more money for not getting it done."
And while unions have done much to improve things for the working person, their usefullness has long expired. They are now a drain on manufacturing, city services, the education of our kids ad nauseum.
My feelings on trade unions however are a little different. Altho they too have a little too much power, at least they help prevent unqualified people from working on job sites.
OldChum @ Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:55 pm
So do licences
BeaverFever @ Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:45 am
$1:
In exchange for job security, workers agreed to a five-year wage freeze, cuts to disability benefits and the loss of their defined-benefit pensions.
Pensler, meanwhile, offered a $9 million severance package it had negotiated with Unilever for its 280 members.
When that contract expired in June 2007, the company wanted more concessions.
Pensler, meanwhile, offered a $9 million severance package it had negotiated with Unilever for its 280 members.
When that contract expired in June 2007, the company wanted more concessions.
$1:
Korex Don Valley owes upwards of $12 million, said Stephen Funtig, the trustee handling the receivership.
While Funtig is still evaluating the company's assets, union spokesman David Moffat said the union doesn't expect Korex is worth enough to offer severance, let alone the outstanding vacation pay owed to workers.
While Funtig is still evaluating the company's assets, union spokesman David Moffat said the union doesn't expect Korex is worth enough to offer severance, let alone the outstanding vacation pay owed to workers.
I love how its always the worker's fault for not giving back more of what little they have to billionaire owners. A group of wealthy investors who can already afford everything in the world want more but no, they're not greedy, its those lower middle-class, near-retirement workers who gave thirty years of their life to the company and already endured having their compensation REDUCED or frozen for five years who are "greedy". Like, how dare those fifty-nine year olds not want to be put in the poor house, don't they know there's a millionaire who fucked up his leverage ratio and might lose on an investment! Where do these people get off not wanting to work in a sweatshop or try to find a new job at age 59? Where do they think they are, some kind of first world country or something?
Its not as if the workers hadn't been making concessions for FIVE YEARS or that the business wasn't sustainable or profitable, its that the new owners mismanaged the company, drove it into debt and are now walking away. Sounds like they bought the factory with borrowed money they couldn't pay back which is basically a microcosm of how the whole financial meltdown took place. Too many investors buying shit they can't afford with money they never really had.
Whatever. This guy and his private equity group who bought the factory are well-known hatchet-men who buy up business, fires the workers, liquidate assets then decalres bankruptcy and walks away or move the business to the third world. They are not part of the "creative capitalism" that made us a first world country, they are from the "destructive capitalism" that takes producers and workers out of the economy for their own profit. That's part of the neo-liberal economy now. Average middle and low-incom union and non-union workers alike are being told their "overpaid" and have to take massive cuts while executives, hedge funds and investors increase their wealth exponentially year after now. Wealth is being redistributed from average working class citizens to the investor/executive class and many of us endorse it because with think if we pile on to the "overpaid" guy next to us, they won't come after us.
Here is more thorough coverage (Toronto Stars's workers are in the same union so they were somewhat selective in there reporting)
$1:
The sign at the bottom of the Don Valley that says “Boycott Dove Products” has been there since June 2, 2008. The men and women who put it up are just waiting for the word: “This strike is over.”
Not because the company they work for has come to an agreement with them. No, they just want it to padlock the gates and let them finally collect severance pay, EI or both.
The strike in question is against Korex Don Valley ULC, an American company owned by Sanford Pensler, a person who buys and “restructures” companies. United Tire Rubber Co. Ltd, a Canadian company, is one more Pensler “restructure.” Don’t look for it in the phone directory though, because it no longer exists.
...
In 2001, Unilever sold the Don Valley plant to Korex ULC, making it part of the Pensler Capital Corporation portfolio.
When Korex took over in 2001, workers accepted many wage and benefit concessions. That contract ended in 2007, and the union started talks on a new one. It was willing to stay put as far as wages and benefits, but it was another thing to go backwards.
Sanford Pensler, CEO, did not agree and made an offer with “draconian cuts” to which the union members voted against by 132 to zero, a 100 per cent strike mandate.
The last strike at the plant was in 1957.
...
http://www.newsfix.ca/2009/07/29/the-fo ... -strikers/
Not because the company they work for has come to an agreement with them. No, they just want it to padlock the gates and let them finally collect severance pay, EI or both.
The strike in question is against Korex Don Valley ULC, an American company owned by Sanford Pensler, a person who buys and “restructures” companies. United Tire Rubber Co. Ltd, a Canadian company, is one more Pensler “restructure.” Don’t look for it in the phone directory though, because it no longer exists.
...
In 2001, Unilever sold the Don Valley plant to Korex ULC, making it part of the Pensler Capital Corporation portfolio.
When Korex took over in 2001, workers accepted many wage and benefit concessions. That contract ended in 2007, and the union started talks on a new one. It was willing to stay put as far as wages and benefits, but it was another thing to go backwards.
Sanford Pensler, CEO, did not agree and made an offer with “draconian cuts” to which the union members voted against by 132 to zero, a 100 per cent strike mandate.
The last strike at the plant was in 1957.
...
http://www.newsfix.ca/2009/07/29/the-fo ... -strikers/
Here are some old comments about the copmany, Korex, from a site to rate your employers:
$1:
Korex ULC 2008-08-25
aquired from Lever Ponds 7 yrs. ago, plant over 100 yrs. old used to be a great company now the worst in Canada,Sandy Pensler owner, tyrant with substandard supervision, all yes men, they treat employees like dirt.Company currently on strike forced out, offer employees had no other choice but to go,U.S. owned will probably close in the fall and claim bankrupcy and go back to U.S. with employees severance pay!,right now not paying for raw materials coming in the door beware, enough said!
Korex 2008-08-25
Korex wants to revoke slavery laws.
Korex 2008-08-25
Korex employes foreign trained engineers who cannot speak english to do jobs that was done by unionized workers.
Formerly World Class 2008-08-25
Former world class facility. A change of ownership brought cost effectiveness before quality, safety and responsibility. Employees have not received a raise in 8yrs. Not only that, a raise was given and taken away at that time as well as cutting a monthly performance bonus in half.Now on strike because Mr. Pensler will not even offer status quo. He wants a pay cut, benefit cuts, and an end to seniority in a union shop. Now office employees are forced to run machines and handle chemicals they have no experience with as well as completing their own jobs or they will be fired for insubordination. Not to mention they have to cross a picket line every day. They did not sign up for this. This facility has made a profit for well over 100 years (literally), including the past fiscal year. How can these actions be justified in any country? The owner of this company has been and still is destroying the lives of hundreds of Canadian workers, many who are close to retirement and cannot find another job with a similar income at their age, all for a few bucks. This company should be ashamed of itself.
Korex is dishonest 2008-08-25
I remember working at the Korex Don Valley plant 3 years ago. I'll never forget about how they cut my ass right out of the blue one day after only 1 month of being employed there. That's their way of hiring temp workers and not letting them stay past their 3 month probation so the company won't have to give those people any benefits and they won't have union protection. Oh well, it was a blessing in disguise because not long after they fired me, I got a better job with Coca Cola. So in a way I should be thanking them.
What to do with Korex... 2008-08-25
Now office employees are forced to run machines and handle chemicals they have no experience with as well as completing their own jobs or they will be fired for insubordination. Not to mention they have to cross a picket line every day. They did not sign up for this. This facility has made a profit for well over 100 years (literally), including the past fiscal year. How can these actions be justified in any country?
Negotiations 2008-08-25
Sandy Pensler is an employer who cannot be trusted. He buys business and run them down to the ground and walks away leaving the families of the employees with no future. He has no integrity or pride. He lies to his employees.
Bob Ditmar, who likes to portray himself as a friend, is nothing better than him.
KOREX 2008-08-25
Believe other comment meant "Korex wants to INVOKE slavery laws" not revoke - invoking slavery laws would certainly be a much much more better fit the way Korex Don Valley is mismanaged & the way they treat the workers that puts more & more money into managements' pockets (especially the American owner that wants to break up Canadian Unions & Workers - all he knows is take,take,take,& more takes but no give at all) - would run out of space & time if tried to say a lot more because there is really a lot to say about this company but reading all the other comments would certainly provide you the right concept of how this company works -
Korex ULC 2008-08-25
They flipped a coin we got no raise, probably no severance and pension surplus held up and GM employees got door #1 $100,000 buyout and a new car! what no trip? Some people go through life handed everything we will get the pink slip with nada!
Sandy Pensler 2008-12-16
What do you expect. This is a man who teaches some of the finest minds in North America,{at Yale} on how to buy companies, run them into the ground and then sell off the parts. This does not just destroy the workers and their families. It also effects every person who has a job. Not only will these people who have lost thier jobs have to go on unemployment or wellfare, their tax money will stop.
This will mean anyone who is lucky enough to have a job will have to be taxed even more. This insanity has to stop. Let the big business's and thier goverment lacky's know your fed up. Stop buying their products, vote out the corrupt, we have the power lets use it.
aquired from Lever Ponds 7 yrs. ago, plant over 100 yrs. old used to be a great company now the worst in Canada,Sandy Pensler owner, tyrant with substandard supervision, all yes men, they treat employees like dirt.Company currently on strike forced out, offer employees had no other choice but to go,U.S. owned will probably close in the fall and claim bankrupcy and go back to U.S. with employees severance pay!,right now not paying for raw materials coming in the door beware, enough said!
Korex 2008-08-25
Korex wants to revoke slavery laws.
Korex 2008-08-25
Korex employes foreign trained engineers who cannot speak english to do jobs that was done by unionized workers.
Formerly World Class 2008-08-25
Former world class facility. A change of ownership brought cost effectiveness before quality, safety and responsibility. Employees have not received a raise in 8yrs. Not only that, a raise was given and taken away at that time as well as cutting a monthly performance bonus in half.Now on strike because Mr. Pensler will not even offer status quo. He wants a pay cut, benefit cuts, and an end to seniority in a union shop. Now office employees are forced to run machines and handle chemicals they have no experience with as well as completing their own jobs or they will be fired for insubordination. Not to mention they have to cross a picket line every day. They did not sign up for this. This facility has made a profit for well over 100 years (literally), including the past fiscal year. How can these actions be justified in any country? The owner of this company has been and still is destroying the lives of hundreds of Canadian workers, many who are close to retirement and cannot find another job with a similar income at their age, all for a few bucks. This company should be ashamed of itself.
Korex is dishonest 2008-08-25
I remember working at the Korex Don Valley plant 3 years ago. I'll never forget about how they cut my ass right out of the blue one day after only 1 month of being employed there. That's their way of hiring temp workers and not letting them stay past their 3 month probation so the company won't have to give those people any benefits and they won't have union protection. Oh well, it was a blessing in disguise because not long after they fired me, I got a better job with Coca Cola. So in a way I should be thanking them.
What to do with Korex... 2008-08-25
Now office employees are forced to run machines and handle chemicals they have no experience with as well as completing their own jobs or they will be fired for insubordination. Not to mention they have to cross a picket line every day. They did not sign up for this. This facility has made a profit for well over 100 years (literally), including the past fiscal year. How can these actions be justified in any country?
Negotiations 2008-08-25
Sandy Pensler is an employer who cannot be trusted. He buys business and run them down to the ground and walks away leaving the families of the employees with no future. He has no integrity or pride. He lies to his employees.
Bob Ditmar, who likes to portray himself as a friend, is nothing better than him.
KOREX 2008-08-25
Believe other comment meant "Korex wants to INVOKE slavery laws" not revoke - invoking slavery laws would certainly be a much much more better fit the way Korex Don Valley is mismanaged & the way they treat the workers that puts more & more money into managements' pockets (especially the American owner that wants to break up Canadian Unions & Workers - all he knows is take,take,take,& more takes but no give at all) - would run out of space & time if tried to say a lot more because there is really a lot to say about this company but reading all the other comments would certainly provide you the right concept of how this company works -
Korex ULC 2008-08-25
They flipped a coin we got no raise, probably no severance and pension surplus held up and GM employees got door #1 $100,000 buyout and a new car! what no trip? Some people go through life handed everything we will get the pink slip with nada!
Sandy Pensler 2008-12-16
What do you expect. This is a man who teaches some of the finest minds in North America,{at Yale} on how to buy companies, run them into the ground and then sell off the parts. This does not just destroy the workers and their families. It also effects every person who has a job. Not only will these people who have lost thier jobs have to go on unemployment or wellfare, their tax money will stop.
This will mean anyone who is lucky enough to have a job will have to be taxed even more. This insanity has to stop. Let the big business's and thier goverment lacky's know your fed up. Stop buying their products, vote out the corrupt, we have the power lets use it.
bootlegga @ Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:22 am
I think unions had a time and place 100 years ago when robber barons and industrialists treated workers like shit, but these days, with government regulations and enforcemen, their time has past.
DrCaleb DrCaleb:
bootlegga bootlegga:
Ahhh, don't you just love unions.
I bet these guys never bothered to read up on the effects of the strike in 2007 at Molson's here in Edmonton...maybe if they had they would still have jobs.
I bet these guys never bothered to read up on the effects of the strike in 2007 at Molson's here in Edmonton...maybe if they had they would still have jobs.
What the name of that Lumber yard on 63rd ave (IIRC) where the workers are still on strike nearly 20 years after being replaced by non-union workers.
Talk about holding out hope. . .
I forgot all about those dopes!