Ex-Vertis Workers End Picket, Vow Fight for 'Owed' Money

STEVENSVILLE, ONTARIO— The former Vertis workers who were let go after their Fort Erie plant was not included in the sale to Quad/Graphics may have ended their picketing, but they're still battling to secure at least part of the C$2.7 million they say is owed to them, the Niagara Bullet News reported.

A former employee told the newspaper that the decision to end picketing came because all of the equipment is believed to have been removed from the plant. In addition, the remaining employees who worked during the closure process were reportedly let go on April 30.

The Fort Erie plant was not included in Quad's acquisition of Vertis, and the 100-odd employees were terminated in January, they say, without prior notice, termination pay or severance. The matter has been tied up in Canadian courts, which have recognized Vertis' U.S. bankruptcy. Had the bankruptcy been filed in Canada, the workers would reportedly be eligible for Canadian federal funds.

Help could be on the way. A large Canadian newspaper chain, which owes Vertis about $2 million, is seeking to legally redirect that money toward a fund for the Fort Erie employees, according to the Bullet News.