GSW plant closing affects 350 workers

Wilfred List

General Steel Wares Ltd. said yesterday that it will close its Toronto plant and transfer its manufacturing operations to its plants in London, Ont., and Montréal to cut costs and raise efficiency.

Termination of work in the Toronto plant will affect the jobs of 350 employees, half of whom will be laid off by the end of November and the remainder in stages to March 30.

G.S.W. President Ralph M. Barford attributed the decision to close the Toronto plant on River St. to excess plant capacity in Toronto, London and Montréal and to a program of rigid economies. At the same time, company officials said sales are substantially higher than they were last year.

Toronto employees are being offered available job opportunities in the other plants. However, the master collective agreement between the company and the United Steelworkers of America gives priority for job openings to senior employees on layoff at the other plants. Union sources indicated that few Toronto employees are interested in moving.

The company's executive offices, sales office and warehouses will remain in Toronto.

The manufacture of milk cans, tinware, galvanized ware, electric kettles, eavestroughs and accessories will be transferred to Montréal. The water heater and boiler lines are being moved to London.

Railways: C.N.Rys.