Employees at Signal Industries in Dauphin were given layoff notices effective immediately and that has raised some serious questions for the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU).
“This came out of the blue,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “This is a huge blow to the local economy and a devastating loss to the families that these job cuts will affect.”
A total of four members were let go this morning while three others were laid off in September 2016.
For 40 years Signal Industries has been a staple in Dauphin. It was the primary road sign supplier in Manitoba, making a wide range of road construction signs..
“We have far more questions than answers right now as to why this drastic step of closing this business had to happen,” said Gawronsky. “At this point, we are still gathering information and looking at all of our options to see what we can do for these members and these jobs in this community.”
In 1994 the Manitoba Government sold off what became Signal Industries. Prior to that, it was a government entity.
The employer has assured the union they are following the collective agreement that is in place and employees will be paid out appropriately based on their years of service.