Former employees of Klinec Electric Service and Manufacturing have been waiting since last August to collect more than $40,000 in termination pay after they were fired for refusing to accept a $3 an hour pay cut.
But company owner Paul Klinec said Thursday morning that he started making payments to a collection agency two months ago and that the final $3,750 monthly payment will be made in December.
“We are making scheduled payments and I guess that information hasn’t been conveyed to the workers,” said Klinec.
Klinec also said the company couldn’t afford to make a lump sum payment and agreed to a monthly payment schedule with Victoria-based Accounts Recovery Corp. instead.
More than a hundred supporters of the former Klinec employees who refused to accept a pay cut from $13.80 an hour to $10.75 blocked entrances to the plant for three hours Thursday morning.
Current workers were allowed to enter the plant but no trucks were allowed in or out until Paul Chislett of the Windsor Workers Action Centre emerged from a meeting with Klinec at which he was told another payment would be made on Friday.
“It’s the oldest story in the book – the cheque is in the mail,” said Chislett. “It’s a giant leap of faith to accept his word but we’ll wait and see what happens.
“Our sole reason for being out here this morning is to support the former employees and try to get them the money they are owed,” said Chislett. “The bottom line is that Mr. Klinec did not respond to the ministry’s orders regarding payment to his former employees until a collection agency came knocking at his door.”
Savio Tobia, who worked at Klinec for six years before leaving last August, said he is owed more than $4,000.
“I haven’t seen any of it yet,” said Tobia, who is still looking for work.
Klinec provides electro-coating, rust inhibiting and parts cleaning services for the automotive sector at its plant on St. Luke Road.
- About 20 people gathered in front of Klinec Manufacturing on St. Luke Road in Windsor, Ont. Thursday, March 21, 2013. They were protesting against the employer who has been ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in termination pay. (DYLAN KRISTY/The Windsor Star)
About 20 protesters have gathered outside of Klinec Manufacturing in the city’s near east side, demanding termination pay from the owner. (Dylan Kristy/The Windsor Star)
