While layoff notices are still expected at the Windsor Assembly Plant, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced that it will be investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the facility.
Union officials met with FCA management in Toronto on Wednesday to discuss the elimination of one of three shifts at the Windsor Assembly Plant, which is expected to result in around 1,500 layoffs. Thousands of other jobs are also expected to be impacted at feeder plants across Windsor.
During the meeting, FCA committed to $355 million in investments for the plant to enhance FCA’s long term commitment to the facility in Windsor.
"This was the first high-level meeting with FCA since we received official notice on the loss of the third shift," Unifor Local 444 said in a post on its Facebook page. "We had a very open and frank discussion with the company about the importance of maintaining the third shift at [the plant], understanding that our members have done everything expected of them from building a world-class, top quality product to becoming the number one asset in the FCA portfolio."
Unifor said the company has also asked for further meetings regarding this process.
The union said nothing has changed regarding the loss of the third shift, but added that they "will continue fighting for our members and community until we have a resolve."
The Windsor Assembly Plant has been operating with three shifts since 1993.