Feeder plants for Windsor Assembly could face potential layoffs as an aftermath of tariffs
Automaker Stellantis has confirmed it's shutting down its assembly plant in Windsor, Ont., for two weeks, largely because of U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles, and an aftermath of that would be potential layoffs at feeder plants.
Unifor Local 444 president James Stewart said that while between 3,000 and 3,500 workers will be directly impacted at Windsor Assembly, more than 1,250 employees at the five main feeder plants for Windsor Assembly can also face layoffs now.
Stewart said while assembly plant workers get Employment Insurance (EI) benefits around 65 or 70 per cent of their wages, the feeder workers "don't have any of that" with EI around 40 to 50 per cent of wages.
"Most will have a hard time getting through this," he said.
Emile Nabbout, president at Unifor Local 195, which also represents workers at the feeder plants, said the tariffs are going to create a "problem in the community."
"It's concerning, the feeder plants we represent … members are all nervous of what's happening. Every time the assembly plant is shut down, notice of layoff will go to our members here as well," he said.
EI reform needed: Unifor Local 195
Around 600 members at the feeder plants can be impacted, Nabbout said.
"We are in the middle of the election. We want all those political parties to make a commitment to stand and fight along the worker and the union to have a safety net and protection to the worker when they face those uncertainties," he said.
"Definitely unemployment insurance is one of the avenues when there is a quick and unpredicted layoff, then we would like the government to increase the benefit."
Nabbout said it is "not a reliable income" when there is an interruption to work and asks the incoming government to eliminate the waiting period and implement comprehensive EI reform.
"It's very crucial in this election that we as workers, stand up and vote for a candidate who supports the reform for EI and enhances the complete labour issues that impact our worker every single time there is an interruption."
Nabbout said amidst all the tariff layoffs and uncertainties, EI reform is an important issue.
He said the weekly earnings need to increase to reflect inflation.
Stellantis spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin said the company is "temporarily pausing production" starting Monday, with operations set to resume the week of April 21.
"Stellantis continues to assess the effects of the recently announced U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles and will continue to engage with the U.S. administration on these policy changes," she said in an emailed statement to CBC News.
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