Q: What is Second Career all about?
A: This is a fairly new (started on 1-June-2008) Government sponsored program allowing those of us who qualify to upgrade our skills in order to get new jobs.
Q: How long would it take to be re-trained?
A: Anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, and possibly one additional year if you need to upgrade to grade 12. For courses of up to 4 months, alternative program, called Skills Development, exists.
Q: Where can I find more information on the programs and colleges?
A: For public colleges click here, and then select Find. On the page that opens you will be able to filter the programs by College, start date, program category etc.
For private colleges click here, and then search by program area (category) or type in the name of the college.
Q: What if I already accepted a low-paid job, do I still qualify for Second Career training?
A: You may still qualify, if the job you accepted has a lower wage and/or a lower skill level compared to the original layoff job and if you obtain an Authorization to Quit from MTCU.
Q: What are the steps to be approved?
A: First you need to meet with the Career Adviser. Call our Action Centre (905-532-0633) to book an appointment.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
PMP Workers Action Center - OPEN HOUSE
Although the Action Center is working for a month now, the official opening
will take place at the
OPEN HOUSE on Thursday October 16th from 12:30 PM till 3:00PM.
Official Opening Ceremony is scheduled to commence at 1:15PM, with some special guests.
Free lunch and entertainment for everyone!
Action Centre location:
2180 Steels Ave W. Unit #3
North east corner of Steels and Keele
Tel: (905) 532-0633
will take place at the
OPEN HOUSE on Thursday October 16th from 12:30 PM till 3:00PM.
Official Opening Ceremony is scheduled to commence at 1:15PM, with some special guests.
Free lunch and entertainment for everyone!
Action Centre location:
2180 Steels Ave W. Unit #3
North east corner of Steels and Keele
Tel: (905) 532-0633
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Labour Day Parade to be lead by ex-PMP employees
In recognition of our efforts through past two months all ex-PMP workers have been invited to lead Labour Day Parade!
On Monday 1st-Sep-2008 at 9AM, Labour Day Parade will leave from Queen & University intersection in downtown Toronto. All ex-PMP workers are invited to join with their families. The parade will end around 11AM at CNE, where free entrance to National Exhibition will be granted to everyone wearing a wrist band from the parade.
On Monday 1st-Sep-2008 at 9AM, Labour Day Parade will leave from Queen & University intersection in downtown Toronto. All ex-PMP workers are invited to join with their families. The parade will end around 11AM at CNE, where free entrance to National Exhibition will be granted to everyone wearing a wrist band from the parade.
Action Center coming up soon
Starting in September the new Action Center will open its doors for all ex-PMP employees and their families. The Center is going to be run by ex-PMP employees volonteering as Peer Helpers.
The most important goals of the center are:
- to provide support to those searching for jobs (this will be done in various ways, the team will be contacting companies and asking for them to post their job openings at our Center, professionals will be called in to conduct Job Search Worskhop, Resume Writing Workshop etc.)
- to provide individual needs assessment for re-training that will lead to re-employment
- to provide training (education for new career)
The center will most likely be located at 2180 Steels Ave W, unit #3, which is at north east corner of Steels & Keele.
Whoever is willing to help run the center is welcome to join . The next training session for Peer Helpers will be conducted in September, after the Center opens its doors.
The most important goals of the center are:
- to provide support to those searching for jobs (this will be done in various ways, the team will be contacting companies and asking for them to post their job openings at our Center, professionals will be called in to conduct Job Search Worskhop, Resume Writing Workshop etc.)
- to provide individual needs assessment for re-training that will lead to re-employment
- to provide training (education for new career)
The center will most likely be located at 2180 Steels Ave W, unit #3, which is at north east corner of Steels & Keele.
Whoever is willing to help run the center is welcome to join . The next training session for Peer Helpers will be conducted in September, after the Center opens its doors.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Have you filed Severance Claim Yet?
Filing Termination Pay and Severance Claim with Ontario Ministry of Labour can be done on line at: :
Copy and past it into the Explorer address bar, press next and agree to all disclaimers until you start to fill out your name etc. as shown below:
The claim should be for 16 weeks Termination Pay, regardless of how long you've worked for PMP, as rules for 'Mass Termination' apply.
The process of filing this claim may take you up to half an hour.
There is no guarantee that there will be any money coming out of this, but some chance exists.
And be prepared to wait for 6 months or more, until this claim gets to the attention of Government authorities.
Good Luck!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Apply for Unemployment NOW !!!
The conclusion from information session held by government representatives yesterday was that there is no reason to wait with application for Employment Insurance Benefits (i.e. Unemployment). Application should be filed on-line and as soon as possible regardless of weather or not you have already received your Record of Employment or weather or not there will be any severance pay issued to you in the future.
And if you haven't received your Record of Employment yet, you may want to check your mailbox again, they've been mailed out!
And if you haven't received your Record of Employment yet, you may want to check your mailbox again, they've been mailed out!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Career Change
If you have energy and interest in changing your career you may want to explore this Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities web-site offering information on Career Change.
Local Newspapers on PMP closure and demonstrations
Vaughan Perspectives dedicated almost one full page in its current issue discussing the events after over 2,000 PMP employees who "...had no idea the company was going out of business" were sent home without a single day of notice nor any compensation.
Employment Opportunities
AGS Autmotive, 675 Progress Ave, Scarborough, ON
Vacant Positions: Program Manager, Corporate Cost Estimating Manager, CMM Applications Engineer, Electrical Technician, Controls Automation Engineer, Senior accounts Receivable Analyst, Accounts Payable Associate, Analyst Business Systems, Financial Analyst
Contact: Dave McCulloch, Corporate HR Manager, (416) 438-6650 x2615, davem@agsautomotive.com
Rubbermaid, 25 Stanfield Rd, Mississauga
Vacant Positions: Injection Mould Set-UP Technician, Industrial Millwrights/Mechanics
Contact: Gillian Douglas, fax (905) 279-2993, gillian.douglas@rubbermaid.com
Capital Tool & Design, 270 Spinnaker Way, Concord
Vacant Positions: Press Operators (day and afternoon shift)
Contact: Joy Sanftenberg (905) 760-8088 x4098, joy.sanftenberg@ctdonline.com
Motivated Staffing Inc.
Vacant Positions: Mold Service Technician
Contact: Dave Gough, (905) 951-6300, daveg@motivatedstaffing.com
Mother Parkers Tea and Coffee, located in Mississauga and Ajax
Vacant Positions: Production Supervisor, Quality Lab Technician, Maintenance Mechanics and Electircinas, Forklift (Raymond Reach) operators, Various other positions
Contact: Kim Thompson, Manager HR, (905) 683-5080 x243, kthompson@mother-parkers.com
Vacant Positions: Program Manager, Corporate Cost Estimating Manager, CMM Applications Engineer, Electrical Technician, Controls Automation Engineer, Senior accounts Receivable Analyst, Accounts Payable Associate, Analyst Business Systems, Financial Analyst
Contact: Dave McCulloch, Corporate HR Manager, (416) 438-6650 x2615, davem@agsautomotive.com
Rubbermaid, 25 Stanfield Rd, Mississauga
Vacant Positions: Injection Mould Set-UP Technician, Industrial Millwrights/Mechanics
Contact: Gillian Douglas, fax (905) 279-2993, gillian.douglas@rubbermaid.com
Capital Tool & Design, 270 Spinnaker Way, Concord
Vacant Positions: Press Operators (day and afternoon shift)
Contact: Joy Sanftenberg (905) 760-8088 x4098, joy.sanftenberg@ctdonline.com
Motivated Staffing Inc.
Vacant Positions: Mold Service Technician
Contact: Dave Gough, (905) 951-6300, daveg@motivatedstaffing.com
Mother Parkers Tea and Coffee, located in Mississauga and Ajax
Vacant Positions: Production Supervisor, Quality Lab Technician, Maintenance Mechanics and Electircinas, Forklift (Raymond Reach) operators, Various other positions
Contact: Kim Thompson, Manager HR, (905) 683-5080 x243, kthompson@mother-parkers.com
Ministry of Training Session for exPMP employees
Three session are offered where you can find out more about unemployment benefits, job search and other services available :
Riviera Parque Dining Banquet and Convention Centre
2800 Highway 7 West (Jane and Hwy 7)
Thursday, July 17th from 9am - noon
Tuesday, July 22 from 1pm - 4pm
La Primavera Hospitality and Convention Centre,
77 Woodstream Blvd, Woodbridge (Hwy7 & Martin Grove Rd)
Riviera Parque Dining Banquet and Convention Centre
2800 Highway 7 West (Jane and Hwy 7)
Thursday, July 17th from 9am - noon
Tuesday, July 22 from 1pm - 4pm
La Primavera Hospitality and Convention Centre,
77 Woodstream Blvd, Woodbridge (Hwy7 & Martin Grove Rd)
Tuesday, July 29 from 9am - noon
"Wage Protection Program' terminated in late 1990's
According to a post published at Doorey's Workplace Law Blog in Ontario, the N.D.P. government of Bob Rae had a “Wage Protection Program” in which the government paid out outstanding employee entitlements up to a specified amount and did so quickly. Then the state would try to get some of the money back from the bankrupt. That system made good sense, but not to the Mike Harris government, who believed fundamentally that it was not the state’s job to protect workers. They terminated the plan in the late 1990s. '
Monday, July 14, 2008
Toronto Star on PMP Severance Scam
Employers should post severance pay bonds is another article that appeared in today's Toronto Star. It is dealing with the fact that many people have left their home countries and came to Canada believing it to be 'socially responsible' society. Little did they know!
Canadian laws seem to allow different treatments for different groups of people. If over 2,000 people were layed off from any government or publicly owned company they would all have had to receive 16 week notice. The reality that over 2,000 ex-PMP employees are experiencing is quite different.
And all that the government has to say is 'We Can Do Nothing". Really ???
Canadian laws seem to allow different treatments for different groups of people. If over 2,000 people were layed off from any government or publicly owned company they would all have had to receive 16 week notice. The reality that over 2,000 ex-PMP employees are experiencing is quite different.
And all that the government has to say is 'We Can Do Nothing". Really ???
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Lawyer Representation NOT for Severance Pay
There has been some misunderstanding on laywer representation offered through Simran @ 416-979-6972 is for. It is not to fight for Severance Pay, but to help you by representing you should you be served with notice to appear in court.
In plain language it means the following: according to current law demonstrating in front of PMP is not allowed. The lawyer will be there to defend you if police knocks on your door and you have to go to court. These demonstrations are very piecefull protests of socially responsible people trying to bring to public attention that the law needs to be improved. The Law requires 16 weeks notice for mass lay offs and it should be enforced! PMP management gave its employees ZERO notice. PMP management did not follow the law!
In plain language it means the following: according to current law demonstrating in front of PMP is not allowed. The lawyer will be there to defend you if police knocks on your door and you have to go to court. These demonstrations are very piecefull protests of socially responsible people trying to bring to public attention that the law needs to be improved. The Law requires 16 weeks notice for mass lay offs and it should be enforced! PMP management gave its employees ZERO notice. PMP management did not follow the law!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Meeting with Minister of Labour
'Workers petition labour minister' is the large article that appeared in today's Toronto Star.
It summarizes the results of yesterday's PMP delegation meeting with federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn in one quotation: "He (minister) said he would look into it and that it takes a long time to change the law"
Over 200 exPMP workers who geathered today in front of 9024 Keele Street did not lose the hope in Canadian justice system yet. It should not be possible for a 2,000+ employees company to terminate employment of that many people without any notice. The Federal Law should protect the workers! Minister has power to make special provisions, will he?
It summarizes the results of yesterday's PMP delegation meeting with federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn in one quotation: "He (minister) said he would look into it and that it takes a long time to change the law"
Over 200 exPMP workers who geathered today in front of 9024 Keele Street did not lose the hope in Canadian justice system yet. It should not be possible for a 2,000+ employees company to terminate employment of that many people without any notice. The Federal Law should protect the workers! Minister has power to make special provisions, will he?
Lawyer Representation for ex-PMP employees
All ex-PMP employees involved in peacefull protests in front of PMP properties are urged to contact Simran at (416) 979-6972 and leave their names and contact numbers so they can be represented by a lawyer should the need arise.
Some of the protesters have already been served orders to appear in court. More noteces may be served over the weekend. The Lawyer has been already working on this case and will represent you at NO COST to you. All fees will be covered by CAW. Please write the number down and share it with your PMP friends.
Some of the protesters have already been served orders to appear in court. More noteces may be served over the weekend. The Lawyer has been already working on this case and will represent you at NO COST to you. All fees will be covered by CAW. Please write the number down and share it with your PMP friends.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
July 1st termination letter (with a surprise ending)
July 1st, 2008
,
We regret that this letter brings extremely unfortunate news for the Progressive group of companies, its employees and other stakeholders.
As you know, we have been working with our major customers and principal lenders to find solutions to our financial challenge that would be acceptable to them. That challenge lies in the amount of money we owe, not in our business strategy or operational abilities.
While we had made great progress in these negotiations, more time was required as we worked to finalize possible solutions. That is why we initiated a Court-supervised restructuring process on June 20th. We thought this would provide us with some time and an opportunity to address our problems.
Since then, our lenders have been extremely helpful in their approach to these matters, and we greatly appreciate the support they have shown. Unfortunately, however, our major customers - Chrysler, Ford and General Motors - have decided to move their business elsewhere and are in the process of removing their tools from our facilities.
The loss of so much of our business at one time means that we must drastically and immediately reduce the size of our operations and our work force. We would like to have provided you with greater notice of these developments. However, events of recent days have been moving so quickly that we must respond with equal speed.
As a result, we had no choice but to announce that effective immediately your employment is terminated. You will receive final payment, which includes any outstanding pay up to and including today's date and any outstanding vacation accrual on the next pay date.
...
and in light of the fact that today is Canada day what would be more appropriate than to end this letter with national anthem. You will understand off course that the time is not sufficient, and we deeply regret but we had to shorten and adjust the text according to the circumstances:
"Oh where Oh where has that GM tool gone,
Oh where Oh where can it be ???
With its manifold hot and its cavity grained,
Is it sailing over the sea???
Oh Chinada !!!"
We regret that this letter brings extremely unfortunate news for the Progressive group of companies, its employees and other stakeholders.
As you know, we have been working with our major customers and principal lenders to find solutions to our financial challenge that would be acceptable to them. That challenge lies in the amount of money we owe, not in our business strategy or operational abilities.
While we had made great progress in these negotiations, more time was required as we worked to finalize possible solutions. That is why we initiated a Court-supervised restructuring process on June 20th. We thought this would provide us with some time and an opportunity to address our problems.
Since then, our lenders have been extremely helpful in their approach to these matters, and we greatly appreciate the support they have shown. Unfortunately, however, our major customers - Chrysler, Ford and General Motors - have decided to move their business elsewhere and are in the process of removing their tools from our facilities.
The loss of so much of our business at one time means that we must drastically and immediately reduce the size of our operations and our work force. We would like to have provided you with greater notice of these developments. However, events of recent days have been moving so quickly that we must respond with equal speed.
As a result, we had no choice but to announce that effective immediately your employment is terminated. You will receive final payment, which includes any outstanding pay up to and including today's date and any outstanding vacation accrual on the next pay date.
...
and in light of the fact that today is Canada day what would be more appropriate than to end this letter with national anthem. You will understand off course that the time is not sufficient, and we deeply regret but we had to shorten and adjust the text according to the circumstances:
"Oh where Oh where has that GM tool gone,
Oh where Oh where can it be ???
With its manifold hot and its cavity grained,
Is it sailing over the sea???
Oh Chinada !!!"
Keele Street protest on 11th of July @ noon !!!
Tomorrow's 12 o'clock protest will mark one week since the ex-workers of PMP started protesting in front of Keele plants, where they try to interrupt the trucks carrying the tools away, all in hopes that this may result in some financial compensation from GM, Ford and Chrysler. The media has covered these protests in a few attempts (one of the latest ones in Toronto Star).
The protesters have been organized in three shifts. Selected representatives were interviewed at the police station. Even though local MP's were informed of the protest no one showed up to discuss the mass termination with them. The law is clear, for mass termination of more than 500 employees at the same time 16 weeks notice is required for each employee regardless of how long he/she has been with the company. The law requires the termination be submitted to Director of Employment Standards before being given to employees. PMP management did not care to do that. They claim they've lost 500 million dollars in a day between 30th of June and 1st of July and they didn't see it coming!!!! Quite contrary, in April this year they thought PMP was doing so well that they determined units for upper management bonuses.
And they still smile, laugh and 'whistle while they work' just as if nothing has happened.
Today a group of about 100 ex PMP employees went to discuss the situation with Federal Labour Minister, along with some CAW representatives. Federal Law has been changed already and effective October 2008 will provide more security for the workers. This change does not apply to PMP mass termination that happened now. Federal law doesn't provide any security to over 2,000 people left without work with ZERO notice and ZERO compensation.
Minister has power to make special provisions, will he?
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD and be there, rain or shine, FRIDAY 11th of July @ NOON to help get a positive answer to the above question.
The protesters have been organized in three shifts. Selected representatives were interviewed at the police station. Even though local MP's were informed of the protest no one showed up to discuss the mass termination with them. The law is clear, for mass termination of more than 500 employees at the same time 16 weeks notice is required for each employee regardless of how long he/she has been with the company. The law requires the termination be submitted to Director of Employment Standards before being given to employees. PMP management did not care to do that. They claim they've lost 500 million dollars in a day between 30th of June and 1st of July and they didn't see it coming!!!! Quite contrary, in April this year they thought PMP was doing so well that they determined units for upper management bonuses.
And they still smile, laugh and 'whistle while they work' just as if nothing has happened.
Today a group of about 100 ex PMP employees went to discuss the situation with Federal Labour Minister, along with some CAW representatives. Federal Law has been changed already and effective October 2008 will provide more security for the workers. This change does not apply to PMP mass termination that happened now. Federal law doesn't provide any security to over 2,000 people left without work with ZERO notice and ZERO compensation.
Minister has power to make special provisions, will he?
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD and be there, rain or shine, FRIDAY 11th of July @ NOON to help get a positive answer to the above question.
Why PMP Voice
This Blog is being started to help PMP friends who shared their days and years together stay connected.
A lot has been happening in the past two weeks. From our employer announcing the restructuring of the company that is only going to make it stronger, through zero day notice termination handed to more than 2,000 people on a statutory holiday, to protests in front of 9010 Keele Street!
The purpose of this Blog is to try and share the information and thus keep the circle of PMP friends informed.
A lot has been happening in the past two weeks. From our employer announcing the restructuring of the company that is only going to make it stronger, through zero day notice termination handed to more than 2,000 people on a statutory holiday, to protests in front of 9010 Keele Street!
The purpose of this Blog is to try and share the information and thus keep the circle of PMP friends informed.
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