The unemployment line in Moose Jaw is about to get a little longer as nearly 200 people head to work for the last time Tuesday morning.

 

The company is apparently buying everybody lunch to say thanks and farewell. But, about 190 local people would rather have a job than free lunch.

Moose Jaw's Raider Industries will officially close at the end of the workday Tuesday.

Dan Riley is the Shop Steward under the Retail-Wholesale-Department Store Union. He says only about 10 or 15 people have moved to other jobs since the closure was announced back in November.

"The collective bargaining agreement that we agreed on for the Severance and Productivity Retention bonus, in order to get that you have to stay until the end basically. If you haven't found another job it would be to more of your benefit for most guys to stay and get that Productivity and Retention Bonus."

Raider Industries manufactured truck caps for years here in Moose Jaw. The U.S. based ownership announced the closure in November, blaming a rising Canadian dollar and the high price of fuel.

While a few get togethers are planned for some of the employees after the last day of work, Riley doesn't expect to see to many smiling faces. "Moral has been absolutely low. It’s been at its all time low and its depressing to know the equipment is being torn down."

That equipment is being packed up and shipped to the Raider plant in Indiana.