The union representing employees at FCA's Windsor Assembly Plant says buyouts are being offered due to the plant facing a significant shift reduction this summer.
Unifor Local 444 confirmed on its Facebook page that its representatives will start canvassing employees with buyout offers on Monday.
Local 444 President Dave Cassidy wrote in the post that employees will be provided with a package and an offer, then given an opportunity to read it through and think it over. Cassidy, though, was hoping members would be offered more.
"I tried taking this company to the mattresses to offer more money in the buyout. We even tried pushing for packages for new hires," wrote Cassidy. "We have fought these issues all the way to the top of the company. To all of it, they said they are simply 'sticking to the contract.'"
The plant is planning to move to two shifts on July 13, as Fiat-Chrysler realigns production with changing demand. Chrysler Canada spokesperson Lou Ann Gosselin confirmed to BlackburnNewsWindsor.com that the buyouts are on the table.
"This action will affect approximately 1,500 people. Retirement packages are being offered to eligible employees.," said Gosselin. "The company will make every effort to place indefinitely laid off hourly employees in open full-time positions as they become available based on seniority."
FCA announced in March 2019 that the third shift at Windsor Assembly would be eliminated. This deadline has been extended several times since due to large orders for the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which is built at the plant.
Cassidy, for his part, was hoping to continue keeping the third shift on until the next set of contract negotiations.
"The company has not made any of this easy and the unwillingness has left a terrible taste in my mouth that I am sure to take with me into bargaining," wrote Cassidy.
