Unifor is pushing hard to keep General Motors’ Oshawa assembly plant open, but the carmaker isn’t budging on its decision to shut it down.
A walkout was held on January 15 as part of the labour union’s #SaveOshawaGM campaign, which claims that GM is increasing production in Mexico although Canada spent billions to bail them out of bankruptcy in 2008.
“I’m here to announce that our members that work for Inteva products in Oshawa walked off the job this morning at 8:30 a.m.,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President, during a press conference at the Detroit auto show. “The result of this action has led to the Oshawa assembly plant being shut down right now at the major Flex plant, which is building the Cadillac and the (Chevrolet) Impala.”
The plant is anticipated to officially close, and Unifor says 2,900 employees will lose their jobs when this happens, along with “thousands more” in auto parts and services.
On January 14, a Canadian government official met at the Detroit auto show with GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra to discuss the situation. In a news release, the Hon. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, said he brought up the future of Oshawa and urged Barra to reconsider the decision to close the plant.
“I regret that GM’s position on Oshawa has not changed, but our government has been clear from the start: we stand ready to play an active role to find a solution for Oshawa’s workers and in shaping the future of the auto industry,” said Bains. “GM is making a mistake by giving up on Oshawa’s workers, and we’re not about to do the same.”
Barra however confirmed the company’s commitment to GM’s future in Canada — including its manufacturing operations in both Ingersoll and St. Catharines.
