MONTREAL - On Monday, the 150 members of the United Steelworkers (FTQ) employed at Armstrong's Montreal operation learned that the employer would be shutting the plant down indefinitely as of May 1. On February 6, 2009, members of the United Steelworkers (FTQ) are meeting with the Urgence-emploi group of the Conseil regional du Montreal Metropolitain - the FTQ's regional council - in order to launch a reclassification committee as quickly as possible. "The average seniority in this plant is 25 years," said Mario Denis, spokesman for the United Steelworkers (FTQ). "Our members are worried. They know that it will be very difficult for them to find new jobs in the current labour market. That's why we are getting down to work right away, even though the closure is only scheduled for May." Armstrong's management has indicated that it will maintain the plant in order to be ready to restart operations if market conditions pick up again, and four or five unionized workers will remain employed for this purpose. "The company's spokespersons are not currently talking about a permanent closure. There is a possibility that operations may resume in 2010, or even later in 2009, if the market recovers," Denis added.

The Montreal operation is profitable. It is well-located, and its workers have a high level of expertise. In addition to the plant located here, the company owns three factories in the United States, including one in California that manufactures the same products as in Montreal. "We know that our plant is the more productive of the two. Lancaster, which owns Armstrong, has decided to sacrifice the Montreal factory. It is clear that the company is privileging its US employees over those here in Quebec," Denis said.

Armstrong has been producing commercial and residential tiles in Montreal for more than 40 years. The average wage is $19 per hour. Under the terms of the collective agreement, workers retain an employment relationship with the company for 30 months. Denis said, "We believe there is still a possibility that the plant's doors will re-open, because we have the expertise, the productivity, and the flexibility. We'll have to wait for the economy to pick up again. In the meantime, we will work tirelessly to help our members and their families through this difficult time."