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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-02-04, Page 2Show Schedule • for February 5th 4th Nrw in Town Nightly at 7:00.9:16 pm, 8aM8un Molina M 2 pm Taken Mighty at 7:00 & 9:15 pm, Santun Mn..Mtat 2 pm Inkheart Nightly at 7:00 & 9:16 pm, Sat/Sum Whim at 2 pm Hotel for Dogs taah17 st MIO i 9:16 pn, 8a118un Maths, at 2 pm Hr's Just Not That Into You tightly at 0:10 a 9:16 pm, SaWSun Nadine at 2 pm L 4 STENINGS Page A2 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, February 4, 2009 Volvo doors to remain closed for most of February St t Ott fol d .i>>rlll;i` 114. 551 Huron St. • 273-6780 X6.00 Tiie,,day' '.I ', .stratfordcrnemas.corn As Volvo Ing closure Dave Sykes signal -star publisher employees prepare for the pend - of the Goderich manufacturing line this year, company officials continue to be impressed with the commitment to excel- lence demonstrated by the local workforce. The plant closed for a three-week shutdown effective Feb: 1 and, hourly employees will not return to work until Monday, Feb. 23 for two weeks of production. Produc- tion will cease for an additional two weeks beginning March 8. Despite the slow- down in production, employees have in- creasingly taken advantage of com- pany and government- sponsored training programs to prepare for the plant closure and resulting job loss or life after Volvo. Despite the unsettled NON -DENOMINATIONAL CHRI Your Location or Ours Rev. Chris Morgan Pastor Paula Morgan 519-524-5124 www.drehrismorgan.ca "AN EASTWOOD LEAD POLE IS A MOVIE EVENT" r1 Nei r 4; wJ ' 1INT FASTWOOD GRAN TORINO www.movie inks.ca Fri & Sat 5:45 & 9:15 Sun -Thur 8:00 Viaionve 14/ 1-800-265-3438 nature of the production and work schedule, employees are making sure the product leav- ing the building and town is of the highest quality and reflects the standard of excel- lence synonymous with graders made in Goderich. "Encouragingly the January quality was the best and the defects were the lowest ever," Jay Davis, Vice President and General Man- ager said Monday. "Their (employees) val- ues are strong and they are translating their feelings into positive results. This speaks well of the employees and their desire to go out with pride." During the current three-week shutdown, a few employees will be on site for inventory and maintenance duties and some manufac- turing engineering activities will carry on. ' Salaried employees are not affected by *the shutdown. . Last week, employee groups were given an update on the company's activities and a global snapshot of the heavy construction equipment industry. Just last week, Cater- pillar announced it was reducing its global workforce by 20,000 employees. "Employees were brought up-to-date on the order backlog and our strategy to reduce inventory," Davis said adding that many shipments are awaiting financing details to close. "Orders have been reduced which re- sults in reduced rates and down weeks. The challenge will be job changes for many re- maining workers." Some employees received their 90 days notice on permanent layoffs that will take ef- fect in April. For most production employees, that final notice will come in early April. In the meantime, employees have been tapping into company program offerings dealing with interviewing skills and resume preparation. Up to 50 employees have been busing to Conestoga College Kitchener on Fridays and Saturdays to take advantage of a Canadian Welding. Bureau retraining pro- gram. Welding certificates will be of value at many manufacturing sites. Also, professors from St. Clair College, Windsor have been on site providing about 100 employees with training that led to Heavy Equipment. Manufacturing Certifi- cates. Another 45 salaried employees took the Project Management Certificate program offered through the International Institute of Learning. The training programs are offered to posi- tion the employees for re-employment or to prepare them for the job search ahead. Davis said it was incumbent on the company too prepare its workforce for future opportuni- ties and to leave the town with a set of skilled workers, prepared to take on manufacturing jobs. Some employees have resisted the free counseling and training programs but can access any program through the Human Re- sources department at Volvo. Harbour, pollution top council wish list Gerard Crus signal -star staff "It's been a long an amazing i it's wait and nfusion of funds," said Goderich clerk - administrator Larry McCabe. The town will be one of many mu- nicipalities in southern Ontario to ben- efit from a massive infrastructure pro- gram announced in January's federal budget. First and foremost on the town's list is the Building Canada fund, part of a $7 bil- lion infrastructure program announced last Tuesday. God- erich is asking for $30 million for harbour development and $800,000 for an ultraviolet disinfectant system for the pol- lution control plant. The latter, McCabe said, would be completed whether EATING DISORDERS DROP - IN CLINIC WHO; Adolescents concerned they spay have an eating disorder Parents concerned that their child may have an eating disorder A chance for you to meet with a social worker and discuss your concerns to see if we are the right source for help. Obtain information about eating disorders and resources available for assessment and treatment of an eating disorder. NO COST — simply bring your health card number WHAT: COST: WHEN: LOCATION: CONTACT: Clinic will normally run from 9:00 — noon the first Wednesday of each month. You can call ahead to confirm clinic dates. You can also call to schedule a more suitable time if you are unable to attend the clinic. COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE Wingham Site - 253 Josephine Street (main street) Wingham, Ontario 1-866-883-2691 or 519-482-3945 Ext. 6104 and speak with Anita The Huron Outreach Eating Disorders Program is a Satellite Service of the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital or not federal funding was there. Even if funding isn't there, McCabe said the town would use reserve funds to keep the purchase off the tax base. However, though big figures were tossed around in Parliament,.McCabe said there were few details about how the money was going to be adminis- tered. "We're looking forward to an- nouncements on details," he said. In the meantime, the town is making sure it has it's projects ready to . go. Mc- Cabe said whether or not they receive funding will depend on government's priorities. "Once the details are announced they will pick the projects locally," he said. "We do know (the announce- ments) will be merit - based." • He said having the projects ready to go is also a contributor and Goderich has been ac- tively seeking public and private partner- ships for the harbour expansion, in addition to setting aside pre -en- gineering funds. McCabe said the town will be looking at more infrastniturc funding as announce- ments are made. How- ever, the types of proj- ects and applications are dependent on the fine print. "We're still waiting on the details," he said.