Local officials are still trying to wrap their heads around FCA's decision to scrap the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant.
At the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Rakesh Naidu says the announcement is disappointing.
He says the chamber is concerned about the potential impact to the supply chain in the region.
"When there is a change clearly that change will affect us so we were disappointed," says Naidu. "Having said that it's about what we can do in this situation, what's the best we can do for the employees for their family and supply chain partners."
Incoming Windsor Essex Regional Chamebr of Commerce President Rakesh Naidu, Hellenic Cultural Centre, November 21, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
At the Windsor-Essex Development Corporation, President and CEO Stephen MacKenzie says the corporation is thinking about everyone impacted by the shift cancellation.
He says the corporation will continue to work with all sectors.
"Our role is to trying to contribute to a healthy economy for Windsor-Essex as we can so that when the time comes that a Fiat Chrysler can consider adding another line, bringing that shift back, hiring back those people or our supply chain companies to keep the job opportunities that's our role," says MacKenzie.
CEO of the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation Stephen MacKenzie (Photo by AM800's Zander Broeckel)
MacKenzie says the corporation is hoping for the best in the future.
"Hopefully the one billion dollar investment from a couple years ago that allowed the plant to be able to take on a new line that's what I'm really anxious to see now in the coming weeks and months, is there opportunity," says MacKenzie.
As heard first on AM800 News Thursday, FCA Canada announced it was returning to a two shift operation at the Windsor Assembly Plant.
The change goes into effect September 30 impacting approximately 1,500 jobs.
The last time the Windsor Assembly Plant was operating at two shifts was back in 1993.