According to a memo sent to members of Unifor by the union, Wescast in Wingham will close July 30, 2023.
Although a tentative timeline was provided outlining a shutdown in July, a facilities assessment in August 2023, infrastructure maintenance, new equipment installation, operation testing, and a relaunch in subsequent years, the details of these steps remain unclear.
According to Unifor, the decision was communicated to customers on May 1, 2023.
In a statement issued to the membership, Tyson Siddall, National Representative of Unifor, expressed solidarity with the affected workers.
"We are deeply disappointed by the employer's decision to proceed with the plant closure, and we remain skeptical of the timeline presented to us," he said. "Our priority is to ensure that our members' interests are protected and that the company is held accountable for its actions. We will continue to press for transparency and full disclosure throughout these negotiations."
Of particular concern to the union is that the proposed closure timeline exceeds the parameters of temporary closures as defined by the Employment Standards Act (ESA). To protect the rights of all members on the security list, Local 4207 has filed an additional grievance citing the plant closure language outlined on Page 71 of the Collective Agreement.
Unifor says it questions the reliability of the provided timeline and has raised doubts about the company's intentions to reopen the facility. As negotiations between Unifor and Wescast continue, the union "is demanding full disclosure about the company's facility plan and other relevant matters to our membership."