Detroit's Big Three automakers will temporarily stop production in North America due to the coronavirus.
General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler announced Wednesday afternoon that they will close their plants through March 30 to allow the facilities to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, according to Detroit television station WXYZ.
In addition, the Big Three will also halt production at their Canadian factories, including Ford's Windsor Engine and Essex Engine plants. In a Facebook post, Unifor Local 444, which represents workers at FCA Windsor Assembly Plant, said the company is pausing production there as well.
Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy told reporters Wednesday afternoon that he understood some members were nervous.
"The precautions were put in place, but they didn't feel comfortable," said Cassidy. "One of the things we started to see was people coming back from vacation. There was no need at that time for wage replacement, and people were feeling fine. So that started to become a big issue."
Workers at GM's CAMI plant in Ingersoll were informed on Wednesday afternoon that they would be on layoff from March 22 to April 4.
"GM and the UAW (United Auto Workers) have always put the health and safety of the people entering GM plants first, and we have agreed to a systematic, orderly suspension of production to aid in fighting COVID-19,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “We have been taking extraordinary precautions around the world to keep our plant environments safe and recent developments in North America make it clear this is the right thing to do now. I appreciate the teamwork of UAW President Rory Gamble, UAW Vice President Terry Dittes and local leadership as we take this unprecedented step."
WXYZ also reported that a worker at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne had tested positive for COVID-19, along with an employee at FCA's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant.
-With files from Maureen Revait