Twenty-two people in Greater Sudbury will be unemployed Jan. 13, when Lowe's Companies Inc. shuts down 31 Canadian stores.
The company announced Monday plans to shut down “underperforming” store locations, including the store on Barrydowne Road, as well as two locations in Sault Ste. Marie.
Fourteen of the 22 employees are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 175, which expressed disappointment in the decision.
“Our members are very hard-working people who enjoy servicing the community,” said Tim Deelstra, spokesperson for the union.
“We're particularly disappointed with the company choosing to have a meeting with no notice whatsoever on Sunday (to relay the news the store is closing). It's a difficult way to tell people the bad news.”
Deelstra said he was told the employer started contacting people at 9 a.m. on Sunday to come in for a meeting after store closing, but didn't specify what the meeting was about. The union was only notified of the meeting right before it started.
Deelstra said members have enhanced severance provisions in their collective agreement, above what the law provides, and a union representative is in the process of talking to the employer about those provisions that will apply.
“We are going to do whatever we can on behalf of our members to get them the most they can out of this situation,” he said. “We understand this is a bigger movement the company is making across Canada and the United States, and we're in the process of discussing with the employer the next steps.
The union has been told the store will close Jan. 13, Deelstra said.
In an email, Lowes said everything will be done to ensure a smooth transition until the stores are closed, including transfers of eligible employees to other locations where possible. All affected employees will be supported by the HR team.
“While the date varies from one store to another, we intend that all will be closed before the end of January 2019. A sign will be posted on the front door to advise customers of the applicable closing date.”
