Close to 200 workers at an auto part manufacturer in Tillsonburg are out of a job after being told Tuesday that the company is shutting down.
The Adient Seating facility, which manufactures polyurethane seating foam, has operated in the town for over half a century. The 192 workers at the plant, formerly known as Johnson Controls Ltd, were informed early Tuesday morning, that Monday's shift was their last.
Unifor National President Lana Payne reacted to the sudden closure, condemning management for their abrupt decision.
"It is clear that Adient managers have no decency or respect for the workers who made them a very wealthy and successful multinational corporation," said Payne. "A closure like this is completely unacceptable. Auto parts jobs like these are vital to the future of our auto sector, particularly as the industry transitions to electric vehicle manufacturing."
Workers were told that jobs will be moved to Adient facilities in Tennessee and Kentucky, both right-to-work states, where security agreements between employers and labour unions are not allowed.
"All of us are shocked, angry and devastated to head into the holidays with a pink slip instead of a Christmas bonus," said Lorraine Sinclair of Unifor Local 1859. "All options are on the table as the union works around the clock to appropriately respond to this cruel and callous decision."
Talks between the union and Adient are said to be ongoing, with meetings scheduled with local management on Friday and with corporate representatives on December 5.
