Several automotive assembly plants have reduced production and sent home workers due to ongoing blockades by protesters at the Ambassador Bridge that connects Windsor, Ont., with the United States.
Ford Motor Company reduced production at its Oakville Assembly Plant by 50 per cent on Tuesday as suppliers faced hours-long delays transporting auto parts across the border, according to the plant’s union.
Mark Sciberras, president of Unifor Local 707, says workers at the assembly plant were told their shifts would be reduced from eight to four hours per day due to the supply shortage.
Stellantis, a multinational auto-manufacturing company, also sent home 5,000 workers from its Windsor Assembly Plant on Tuesday citing “parts shortages.”
“Our plant ran short hours yesterday and is running short hours today as well,” said Sciberras.
The Oakville Assembly Plant employs roughly 3,000 workers.
The Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association says there are likely several more plants reducing capacity as a result of the blockade.
“I’m talking to plenty of members who’ve said they’ll have to slow down or shut down their operations today, because this is affecting production,” said Flavio Volpe, APMA President on Wednesday.
“Car manufacturers on both sides of the border are having a tough time getting volume.”
About $400 million in trade flows across the Ambassador Bridge every day. $100 million of that commerce is for the auto industry, said Volpe.
Most manufacturers function under a just-in-time delivery model that leaves enough parts only for a day or two before production is affected, said Volpe.
Protesters occupied the bridge over the weekend in a show of support for the trucker protest in Ottawa.
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