End of an era at Schneiders; final meat rolls off the line Thursday afternoon
Posted Feb 26, 2015 02:43:05 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s the end of an era at Schneiders.
The last of the meat products rolled off the production line at 2 p.m. on Thursday.
“I’ve been here almost 14 years” says Angela Rivera, on her last day of the job. “It’s so sad. I feel like crying. I don’t want to see people. I would be bawling if I saw them crying. I feel so sad, you know. I love this place.”
Closure of the Courtland Avenue plant has resulted in the loss of 1,200 jobs, but 20 people will remain until the end of March.
“It was emotional, lots of tears” says Rick LaRose, Plant Manager. “On the other hand, after providing everyone with a three year closure notice, I think it was important for everyone to get final closure.”
The plant which has been a mainstay in the community for over a century and has been slowly winding down operations over the last few months. Company officials with Schneider’s parent company Maple Leaf foods, cited the age and layout of the facility as reasons.
Production is being shifted to a newly constructed building in Hamilton.
To listen to the full interview with Plant Manager, Rick LaRose click below:
