With the elimination of the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant scheduled for July 13, buyout packages will be offered to senior employees.
Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy posted a statement on the local's website and social media pages saying representatives from the plant will be out canvassing and employees will be able to read over their pension statement and offer.
"I tried taking this company to the mattresses to offer more money in the buyout. We even tried pushing for packages for new hires. We have fought these issues all the way to the top of the company. To all of it, they said they are simply sticking to the contract," said Cassidy.
The statement goes on to say that the union is still working out when employees will be able to leave if they accept the offer.
In March 2019, FCA Canada announced it planned to cancel the third shift but there has been a number of extensions.
About 1,500 employees work on the third shift.
FCA Canada released the following statement:
"As previously announced in March 2019, FCA intends to return the Windsor Assembly Plant to a traditional two shift operation, now scheduled to begin on July 13, 2020, in order to better align production with global demand. This action will affect approximately 1500 people. Retirement packages are being offered to eligible employees. The Company will make every effort to place indefinitely laid off hourly employees in open full-time positions as they become available based on seniority. "
The Windsor Assembly Plant currently employs roughly 6,000 workers and produces nearly 1,500 minivans a day when operating at full volume.