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THE
NEW
BRAND
-
GREAT
LAKES
RV
“We’ve been engaged in this process since Fleetwood announced the closure"
"If all goes well, we hope to have our first trailer roll out the end of January,"
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There is light at the end of the tunnel for roughly 75 per cent of Fleetwood Canada former employees.according
to
an
article
by
Cathering
Whitnallall
in
www.mykawartha.com
On Friday,
December
20th,
2007,
the City of Kawartha Lakes joined forces with the management team of Great Lakes Recreational Products Inc. to announce production of travel trailers and fifth wheels at the Mount Hope Street plant.
Production of the vehicles, manufactured under the brand Great Lakes RV, will begin in January. President and chief executive officer Paul Perras told Kawartha Lakes This Week the company contract closes on Jan. 15, however, they expect to be in the building this week.
"If all goes well, we hope to have our first trailer roll out the end of January," said Mr. Parras.
Great Lakes RV expects to hire roughly 300 employees over the next three months of operations. Former Fleetwood employees with recall rights will be given first consideration for positions.
"We definitely want them back," said Mr. Perras, adding it was definitely a sad day when it was announced the company was to close in July, leaving more than 400 employees out of work.
UNITE HERE Local 1381, the union representing the former workers, note the reopening of the plant is a victory for workers and the community
“We’re glad to see today’s announcement,” stated Alex Dagg, director of UNITE HERE’s Ontario council. “We’ve been engaged in this process since Fleetwood announced the closure and have been working hard, with our members, local politicans and the new ownership team at Great Lakes Recreational Products to do everything possible to preserve these jobs for Lindsay.”
Members of the Local who worked at the former Fleetwood plant, voted 80 per cent in favour of accepting an agreement that would allow for the new company to become operational. The agreement, which contains some wage and benefit concessions, was an integral part of establishing the conditions for Great Lakes Recreational Products to maintain the plant in the Lindsay area. It also contains the option for union members to voluntarily invest in the company
Dion Gemmiti, vice-president of business development for Great Lakes Recreational Products Inc., is especially pleased with how "people rallied to make this happen," saying a concerted effort by the company's management group, former employees, local residents and businesses, provincial and federal representatives, financial advisors and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
"We are thrilled to start production and begin working with dealers in both Canada and the US to satisfy the needs of consumers in the RV industry,” stated Mr.
Gemmiti.
Mr. Perras said the company's management style will have a focus that nurtures a positive work environment, providing increased communication with employees - something that was previously, sorely missing. Punch clocks will disappear with all employees salaried.
Mayor Ric McGee was pleased to welcome the new company to town, thrilled to be able to provide many of the former Fleetwood employees with an early Christmas present.
Both Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Barry Devolin and MPP Laurie Scott echoed sentiments the announcement is great news for the whole community.
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