Central Supplies jobs safe, says Irving

SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Central Supplies’ 400 employees can breathe easy, says a rep from J.D. Irving. The family-owned conglomerate’s Kent Building Supplies bought out Central’s six hardware stores and its truss operation for an undisclosed sum in a deal set to close New Year’s Eve. “All of the existing employees have been offered jobs and the majority of them have accepted,” Mary Keith, VP Communications at Irving, told the Halifax Chronicle-Herald. She would not disclose the salaries being offered, but pledged that workers would retain their seniority. Employees at the two Atlantic Windows outlets, which are not included in the purchase, will remain with Central Supplies.