Big layoffs at Viking Industries and Canron hit union workers hard

Viking Industries in Gresham announced last week that it will lay off half of its workforce — 169 employees — Dec. 6. The downsizing affects 91 members of Iron Workers Shopmen’s Local 516 and 37 members of Glass Workers Local 740. The remainder are office staff and management.

The layoff is the result of Home Depots decision to discontinue selling Viking-brand windows and doors in its stores — opting instead for Jeld-Wen windows and doors.

The non-union and anti-union Jeld-Wen, headquartered in Klamath Falls, is the world’s largest manufacturer of doors, windows, millwork and specialty wood products. It has over 200 subsidiary companies in 40 states and 10 countries (including Pozzi Window in Bend, United Window and Door in Stayton and Bend Door Company.

Jeld-Wen was the company behind the creation of the 1996 “JOBS Plus” program in Oregon, whereby companies are subsidized by the state to hire unemployed workers. Jeld-Wen utilizes extensively the JOBS Plus program.

Viking Industries has manufactured and supplied vinyl windows and patio doors to the Western U.S. since 1965. The Portland plant has been a union shop since 1970.

Viking was acquired by Iowa-based Pella Corporation in 1998. Pella sells Pella, Pease and Viking brand windows, storm doors and patio doors at Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse centers.

“They’ve been telling us about a layoff since last spring,” said Ben Johnson, business manager of Glaziers Local 740. “But I don’t think anyone expected the cutback to be this big.”

Approximately 20 to 25 Glass Workers will maintain employment at Viking Industries, Johnson said.

Bruce Bunnell, business manager of Iron Workers Local 516, said roughly 80 union members will be retained.

Bunnell said Viking windows and doors “the only union-made windows and doors out there” will continue to be sold at Lowe’s under the name, ThermaStar by Pella. “They’ll be the same Viking windows, only under a different name. We want contractors to know that.”

Union officials have been meeting with members since the Oct. 6 layoff announcement. Bunnell said his members will receive severance packages of one week’s wages for each year of employment, plus health insurance coverage for 60 days after the layoff.

“We’ve known about this for a few months, so our members have been taking the necessary precautions,” Bunnell said.

The company is working with local officials from Oregon Workforce Connection and the Employment Department to assist employees in job retraining programs.

In addition to the Viking layoffs, Bunnell said approximately 120 members at Canron Construction Corp. in Northeast Portland have been laid off indefinitely. “They were all sent home, and told to take their tools with them,” he said.

Canron is a steel fabrication and erection company with operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In October 2002, CIB Marine Bancshares Inc. became the owner of 84 percent of the company’s common stock as part of a Bankruptcy Court settlement agreement.

Canron has been operating without bonding for more than two years, which has made it difficult to secure contracts. “They need $40 million to buy bonding — and with no bonding there’s no work,” Bunnell said.

According to CIB shareholders report, the company is trying to sell or otherwise liquidate the company.

Bunnell said the Iron Workers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee is offering Local 516 members blueprint reading and welding classes for $30.

On a brighter note, Bunnell reported organizing 13 employees and signing a new contract at International Inspectors Inc., 5454 N. Channel Ave., on Swan Island.

The company, with offices in Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles, inspects welds on such things as bridge girders and pipelines.

© Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc.