Alex Johnston and Kwamie Afriyie.
--------------Photos of the GM Scarborough Van Plant - by Gayle Hurmuses
When GM nearly went down, I had to listen to a lot of incorrect, badly-informed opinion on the reasons that this happened, much of it crucifying the workers and our unions. Much of it was spoken by individuals that had never exerted themselves physically, even in a squash game, through lips set in faces that had no muscle-tone, who were making a solid 6-figures, and had soft, manicured hands that had never been calloused.
They would bitterly complain about the worker's 'sense of entitlement' ... largely ignoring the fact that what spurred their anger was their investment portfolio losses...something that they felt deeply entitled to, despite their own lack of real contribution to the process, and lack of personal effort involved. The work was tough, the hours were long, the environment was hazardous to health, and we made the product. Without our sweat, effort and injuries, there would be no industry.We deserve good working conditions and a living wage for this sacrifice. --------------Photos of the GM Scarborough Van Plant - by Gayle Hurmuses
The Van Plant was a relic in many ways...even when it was first set up, the equipment was old, brought in from a plant that had been retooled. The handful of robots in the plant were extremely primitive, and were mainly for research and study. Everything was done by hand, from Ladder One, where the first strut was welded to the framework, to Final Inspection, where the vans were driven from staion to station.
There might sometimes be as many as 5 people working inside a van at one moment...and one or two more on the outside. It was the epitome of collaborative work-effort. A model of team dynamic.-------------- Photos of the GM Scarborough Van Plant - by Gayle HurmusesThese are some notes I took in a phone conversation with Bill Devine, who came to work at the GM Scarborough Van Plant late in his life, after going through a similar shut down (I think it was at Goodyear). He was elected to various positions in Local 303 of the Canadian Autoworkers, including on the adjustment committee that assisted workers who did not go on to work at other plants in the GM chain, to retrain to work in new careers following the closure, he also did a great deal of the research on the plant that was compiled for the Local 303 Heritage Project.
When I was working on a submission for a TTC art project, I got this factual information about the plant from Bill
GM Came to Scarborough from Leaside in 1952, as Fridgidare, a division of General Motors
Delco
The Van Plant, much expanded, replaced Fridgidaire in 1974, and employment increased dramatically to reach a two shift total of 2,800 production workers
The General Motors Van Plant was the single largest private sector employer in the GTA until DeHavilland went private
The effect of this increase was threefold;
A greater tax base
Increased revenue for municipal coffers
Much higher payroll, meant higher spending by van plant workers in the Scarborough community
At time of closure, that higher payroll would be 2M+ weekly
Good paying jobs were provided for Scarborough / East York residents
As a history of CAW local 303, which represented Van Plant workers, put it: “Many…in the surrounding neighbourhood and the community got jobs in the hiring of 1974-75” P78 (Rick Fleming)
With the closure of the Van Plant in 1993, all of the above came to a close.
In addition to the 2,800 jobs lost at the Van Plant there was a ‘spinoff’ loss of more jobs. These range from losses to parts suppliers to losses to the retail / hospitality sectors, where less money earned means less money spent.
Each manufacturing job loss means a spin-off loss of four more jobs throughout the economy
The legacy of the Van Plant Closure is both specific and General.
It is specific in terms of the loss experienced by each of the 2,800 workers affected, all of whom contributed to the well-being of the Scarborough community.
It is general in that in retrospect, it was a foretaste of todays manufacturing plant closures on an ever-increasing scale
On both counts, the legacy of the Van Plant closures should surely be commemorated and honoured.
It's not what most people would think of perhaps, but I found the plant to be beautiful in many ways and this show is partly about that. Glowing lights, shining parts, patterns, movements. It's all in where you stand and how you look. A factory is as beautiful in it's way as a beaver dam, they're far from perfect of course in their usual set-up, but none of that is essential to what they are. I miss the van plant most days and I miss the shaft of light shining in just over my shoulder, filling the space with gentle light.
This job was my nemesis. Not the most difficult job on the plant but one of the most difficult for me personally. The van design had been unchanged for 20+ years, so there had been no need to change the dies that the pieces were stamped on...leading to an shift of fit tolerance over time. I could never seem to get the roof centered easily in the sweet spot that would make it easy to do a proper seal...a delicate process. It's true that assembly line work is less skill intensive than a trade, but it's completely incorrect to think of it as requiring no special skills.
Working on a car assembly line IS a skill. It also takes pride and a passion for getting the job done right, even when it's boring and tedious. --------------Photos of the GM Scarborough Van Plant - by Gayle Hurmuses
Not sure what to say about this one. Patel wanted his picture taken...one of many photos that I shot on request and one of my favourite images in the show.
--------------Photos of the GM Scarborough Van Plant - by Gayle Hurmuses - Exhibition and video screening
Not sure what to say about this one. Patel wanted his picture taken...one of many photos that I shot on request and one of my favourite images in the show.
Gary Warner working on the side-door build and install, was part of the 'Two teams of a (G)Jerry and a Gary..." mentioned in an earlier post...and also son of the Canadian Icon, Captain Highliner.
-------------- Photos of the GM Scarborough Van Plant - by Gayle Hurmuses - Exhibition and video screening
When I shot this picture of Alf and Robert, a father and son who were both friends of mine at work, we discussed a trip I was planning, for the day after the plant closure, to join some friends in a band on tour in England. Robert was also planning to go to the UK at the same time, and we made plans up in London for a drink at a pub. He later chose not to go, which would have meant deferring applying for benefits, also worrying that he would miss being called for transfer. He told at the time that he'd decided instead to go to England some other time 'in the future'.
A very few years later, still in his 20's, he died of an aneurysm. He never made it to England. --------------Photos of the GM Scarborough Van Plant - by Gayle Hurmuses - Exhibition and video screening
