Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE: FCAU) is ending a third shift at its assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, a move that will lead to the loss of 1,500 jobs in the Canadian city.
Impacted workers were notified Thursday that they will be out of work starting on September 30, once the third shift is eliminated. That third shift has been in place since 1993, according to Unifor Local 444, the union that represents the impacted auto workers.
The Windsor plant makes the Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the Dodge Grand Caravan, according to Fiat Chrysler. The company has given the union the required six-month notice for a permanent reduction in the plant. As of September, the plant will return to a two-shift production operation.
In a news release, Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the announcement "extremely disappointing," and said his government will fight to protect the jobs of auto workers in Windsor. For its part, Fiat Chrysler said the decision was made to "better align production with global demand." The company said in an email that retirement packages will be offered to eligible employees.
