Workers at Tecumseh’s Bonduelle plant have gotten some reassurances from the company, just five days after a devastating fire tore through the facility.
At a meeting Tuesday afternoon, 175 seasonal employees were told they will continue to be paid for two weeks, while they wait to head back to work. For some, the wait won’t be too long, as roughly 50 of will head back to work on Wednesday.
On Monday, approximately 200 full time employees were told they will receive a short term layoff notice. During this time, Bonduelle will top off employment insurance benefits and salaries to 95 per cent of their wages for up to 17 weeks.
Roughly 50 full time workers will be back on the processing lines on Wednesday.
Ontario’s Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal toured the fire-ravaged plant Tuesday afternoon. The facility sustained $40 million in damages, primarily to its warehouse.
Leal says the province will do whatever it can do to help Bonduelle.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has officially wrapped up its on scene investigation, but a cause of the blaze is still unknown.
