Glenn Thibeault M.P. for Sudbury

SUDBURY – Sudbury MP Glenn Thibeault was shocked to learn that just over 100 unionized jobs are disappearing locally after Loblaw’s decision to shutdown the National Grocer warehouse on Lorne Street. The centre has been in operation for roughly 60 years.

“This is another major blow to our economy, which is still trying to deal with the on-going strike at Vale Inco and the hundreds of layoffs at Xstrata,” said Thibeault. “We continue to receive the short end of the stick here in the North.”

Loblaw officials say they are consolidating their distribution and inventory holding from 5 facilities to 4 in Ontario. The move, which will take effect in late April, means there will no longer be a distribution centre for groceries in Northern Ontario. About two dozen management positions are also being terminated.

“These are good paying jobs that are vanishing in our community,” said Derik McArthur, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. “It is disappointing that companies continue to take profits out of our city but won’t invest a penny here anymore.”

Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle is also concerned about increased truck traffic on our roads. “With the warehouse shutting down, there will be more a lot more heavy trucks hauling food across the region on a monthly basis. This becomes a safety concern.”

Thibeault added this also puts our food supply at risk “Grocery shelves in many Northern communities could go bare if trucks get stranded down south,” said Thibeault.

Employees in Sudbury were given the news on Wednesday and the union says it was not consulted before the decision was made.

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For further information, please contact:

Brian Band, Communications Director/Outreach Coordinator (Glenn Thibeault) 705-673-7107 or thibeg1a@parl.gc.ca

Anthony Salloum , Legislative Assistant (Claude Gravelle)
613-995-9108(office) or 613-290-3246 (cell) gravec0@parl.gc.ca

THIBEAULT ALARMED AT LATEST JOB LOSSES IN GREATER SUDBURY

Closure of National Grocer means more money leaving town and flowing to Southern Ontario

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