The closure of Windsor Assembly Plant due to COVID-19 concerns has left works wondering what's next.
Unifor Local 444 announced FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automotive) shut down production starting Wednesday afternoon. Workers at Windsor Assembly had raised concerns over plant safety late last week, with some workers refusing to work.
In a statement, Fiat Chrysler CEO, Mike Manley says the company will continue to working with unions to ensure employees, "feel safe at work and will take every step possible to protect them ... during this period of uncertainty."
Local 444 President Dave Cassidy says FCA workers in Windsor-Essex are split on the move.
"They don't want to be there, there are avenues for not showing up for work ... but the fact of the matter is there are just as many telling me to make sure that we just keep things safe and they're there to make money," Cassidy says.
Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy speaks to media at the union's hall at 1855 Turner Rd. on Wednesday March 18, 2020 (Photo by AM800's Rob Hindi)
He says all the union can do now if focus on taking care of its workforce and advocating for government relief on lost wages.
"Our big issue now is wage replacement obviously. What are people going to do on a temporary layoff? They're going to go to EI [Employment Insurance] and that's where we're at. Our feeder plants are feeling the same," he says.
Cassidy tells AM800 News Windsor Assembly workers aren't going to be feeling the pinch alone.
"There are approximately 8,000 workers that would be negatively affected from our facilities alone, but then we have Local 195, Local 200 that is directly affected by Windsor Assembly Plant as well," added Cassidy.
In a statement, FCA says it will continue to work with the union to facilitate agreed upon changes to shift timings and enhanced cleaning protocols.
The company says it will re-evaluate things at the end of the month.
Ford and General Motors also announced the closure of their North American operations Wednesday.
— with files from AM800's Rob Hindi.