Workers at four auto parts plants vote to strike

Employees at four area companies that supply parts to FCA’s Windsor Assembly Plant voted Sunday in favour of strike action, if required.

Workers at all the plants are members of Unifor Local 444, which also represents workers at the assembly plant on Walker Road.

“In order to move the needle forward, our membership recognized the importance of coming out today — even under horrible weather conditions — to send a strong unified message to the employers that it is time to bargain a good and fair contract,” said James Stewart, president of Local 444.

Employees from HBPO Canada and Avencez Assembly both voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action.

Those who work at ZF Friedrichshafen voted 98.3 per cent in favour of a strike, while those at Dakkota Integrated Systems voted 98 per cent in favour.

About 75 per cent of the affected employees from the four plants showed up to vote at the meeting on Sunday, Stewart said.

Contracts at all four plants will expire on March 4, and workers could potentially go on strike at that deadline, he said.

Wages, benefits, pensions and workplace issues were said to be issues at the bargaining table.

Each plant supplies parts almost exclusively for the local minivan plant.

“Potentially when they run out of parts it would affect (operations at) Windsor Assembly Plant,” Stewart said.

Contract negotiations began last week and are scheduled to continue every day until the deadline, he said. Talks resume Monday morning.

“I feel good how the members are clear and adamant about moving this forward,” Stewart said.