A huge rally was held at the Windsor riverfront Thursday afternoon to urge General Motors (GM) across the river to save the Oshawa plant.
GM announced November 26 that it will close five plants across North America next year, including Oshawa, putting thousands out of work.
Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy, who represents Chrysler workers at the Windsor Assembly Plant, said plant closures can happen quickly and it's important to fight for good paying auto jobs because they are vital to communities like Windsor. Cassidy said GM will continue to be pressured to keep the Oshawa plant open.
GM Oshawa worker Jenn Cowie attended the rally and called GM greedy.
"They have product but they choose to move it to Mexico. We are an award-winning facility for productivity and quality [in Oshawa] and there's no reason for any of this to happen other than corporate greed," said Cowie.
Cassidy said there are a few auto parts plants in the Windsor area that supply the Oshawa plant but he doesn't know how much they will be affected.
Unifor Canada President Jerry Dias will meet with GM CEO Marry Barra on Thursday morning and the union will hold a news conference at the Unifor Local 444 hall on Turner Avenue afterwards.
GM had a transmission plant in Windsor for decades but it closed in 2010.
Cowie is thankful for all the support the Oshawa GM workers have been getting.
"I don't want to cry because it's overwhelming... but strength in numbers and the show of solidarity from coast to coast is absolutely fabulous," she added.
Cowie said the plant closure is gut-wrenching and devastating. Workers are angry, she added.
"Our quality speaks volumes. The workers are proud, they do a good job and we don't understand," Cowie said.
- with files from Allanah Wills
