It is hoped that an agreement between Greening Donald Co. Ltd. and the Steel Workers Union local 6266 will clear up some issues raised by employees who were receiving layoff notices.

Greening Donald, a major Orangeville employer since the mid1960s, announced this summer it was in the process of downsizing its local automotive airbag filter production because it was transferring production to a plant in Saltillo, Mexico.

Employees who received temporary layoff notices, were upset when questions about severance and pensions weren't being answered.

"We were in discussions with the union all along, and were not able to comment on things until we reached a conclusion," said Human Resources Manager David Thomson.

According to an Aug. 1 news release, Greening Donald's decision to move airbag filter production to Mexico was due to "the constant pressure of offshore

competitors and the demands from our automotive customers for lower prices," another major contributor being the rapid rise in the Canadian dollar over the past three years.

The layoffs are continuing, and the company is reviewing staffing levels on an ongoing basis.

It says it intends to keep the corporate offices in Orangeville, along with product development and some production including parts for the airbag filters and perforated tubes and woven wire cloth.

Employment here, which was about 300 earlier this year, is expected to drop to 70 to 80 after the move.