The Globe and Mail

Electro-Motive Canada employees put up a graveyard of crosses and workers' boots outside the subsidiary of Caterpillar in London on Feb. 8, 2012.
On Feb. 3, 2012, Caterpillar’s Progress Rail Services unit announced it would cease operations at the factory.

On Jan. 1, the company locked out workers. On Feb. 3, Caterpillar closed the plant for good, citing the need to be cost competitive in a global market, putting 700 people out of work.

The company asked unionized workers to accept pay cuts of up to 50 per cent. The union refused.

Electro-Motive Canada employees burn pallets to keep warm on the picket line.

Electro-Motive Canada employees' work boots hang on the fence on the picket line.

Electro-Motive Canada employee Edward Swat, 62, keeps himself busy sweeping the driveway on the picket on Feb. 8.

Electro-Motive Canada employees Frank Giampa and John Vandergulick cook pasta, sauce and meatballs for the workers on the picket line on Feb. 8.

Employee John Vandergulick eats lunch on the picket line on Feb. 8.

Employee Vince Gugliotta plays hockey with his son Orlando in the driveway on the picket line on Feb. 8.

Employees move wood that was dropped off on the picket line on Feb. 8.

Smoke wafts by Electro-Motive Canada employees using "The Cottage" on the picket line outside the subsidiary of Caterpillar in London on Feb. 8, 2012.

Electro-Motive Canada employees burn pallets to keep warm on the picket line outside the subsidiary of Caterpillar in London on Feb. 8, 2012.

Employees wave to a supporter from the picket line on Feb. 8.

London Mayor Joe Fontana figures the plant closing wipes out $1-billion from the city’s GDP of $17-billion.

“Southwestern Ontario, which is the economic locomotive of the Canadian economy...is still struggling,” he says, adding that he’s frustrated the industry doesn’t seem to have a champion in the current federal government.

Around the corner from the shuttered plant, K’s Sports Lounge & Grill is quiet on a Wednesday night, but for a few men sitting at the bar.

Manager Kay Phouttharath says business is down 20 per cent.

Paul Giannopoulos, owner of James Place Restaurant, a diner that serves breakfast and lunch to nearby workers, says he’s lost 30 to 40 workers per day from the Caterpillar closure.

James Place Restaurant owner Paul Giannopoulos talks to some of his few customers at breakfast time in his family restaurant in London on Feb. 9, 2012.

Frank Rondinelli, president of Charterhouse Auto Body & Collision, says January was the slowest in 40 years because few are driving, fewer still getting their cars fixed these days.