2023-08-14 18:06:09
A sad return from vacation on Monday for some 170 workers at the Pharmalab pharmaceutical products plant in Lévis who have been laid off for an indefinite period.
The factory was a manufacturing site for Ideal Protein products used for weight loss.
“It is sad and unfortunate to learn this morning (Monday) of these layoffs at this plant, which has been established in Lévis for more than 70 years. My thoughts are with the employees and their families who learned this very sad news today,” responded the mayor of Lévis, Gilles Lehouillier.
The employees were appalled, especially since the company was posting vacancies, which suggests that things were going rather well.
“It is regrettable to learn that on returning from vacation. We didn’t expect that at all. I have colleagues who are traveling and who do not know it yet. It’s quite a shock when you come back,” shared an employee who preferred to remain anonymous.
Welcome committee
The latter went there Monday morning in the hope of recovering some personal effects, which was forbidden to her by the security agents hired to control the comings and goings, at 8750, boulevard Guillaume-Couture.
The workers received notice over the weekend from their employer, but a few still wanted to visit the scene on Monday in the hope of talking to other colleagues.
When they arrived, the security guards handed them a “general notice of temporary layoff” for a period of at least 6 months, for those who were not already aware.
“I think it’s done in a ‘cheap’ way,” says Jany Caron, a Pharmalab employee for more than two decades. “I have worked here for 22 years and I find the way of doing things to be ordinary.”
Economic difficulties
The factory was closed for the summer holidays from July 31 to August 11 inclusively. Normally, the company was to resume operations on Monday.
Pharmalab explains for its part that it had to make this decision with regret in order to ensure the survival and sustainability of the company.
The company writes that it is “currently facing very serious economic and financial difficulties which have the effect of jeopardizing the pursuit of its activities, in the short and medium term.”
“Unfortunately, your temporary layoff will also imply the temporary suspension of the group insurance coverage offered to you by the company as of August 30, 2023”, is also mentioned in the notice.
“We continue to believe strongly in our industry and sincerely hope to be able to call you back to work as soon as possible,” reads the letter, which is signed by company president Dawn Halkuff.
The first shareholder of Pharmalab is Laboratoires COP inc. which markets Ideal Protein products. The company was founded in 1953 by Marcel Vachon. Pharmalab had experienced significant growth in recent years in North America, thanks in particular to the development of new products and the conclusion of partnerships in Europe and the United States.
With the collaboration of TVA Nouvelles
Photo Diane Tremblay / Journal de Québec
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