While most workers in a company the size of Fiat-Chrysler are somewhat detached from their CEO, workers at the Windsor Assembly Plant are expressing their condolences for Sergio Marchionne.
Marchionne is said to be in grave condition in a Swiss hospital after suffering complications from recent shoulder surgery. Reports say he is on a ventilator and his family is by his side.
Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy says he was in Italy recently with National President Jerry Dias and Ken Lewenza Sr. on business. They had hoped to meet with Marchionne, but the get-together never materialized.
Cassidy has been keeping his members up to date on the local's Facebook page where many have commented wishing him a fast recovery.
"He brought us back from the brink. He's made our community a much better community," says Cassidy echoing what others have said about Marchionne's impact on both Fiat-Chrysler and the City of Windsor where the Windsor Assembly Plant is the largest employer.
Meanwhile, the company has named Mike Manley Marchionne's successor, and Cassidy has been reassuring his membership.
"I don't know him very well, but Mike Manley was part of the five-year plan," says Cassidy. "Hopefully the Board of Governors and Mike Manley and the rest of the executive team follows through and we go from there."
Marchionne's illness and sudden ouster from the company come at a time when the auto industry in Canada faces unprecedented challenges including a threatened 25% tariff from the United States on imported vehicles and auto parts. Cassidy says while it is indeed sad, the industry can ill afford to be distracted.
"We sure have the eye on the prize on that one because that could be devastating," he says.
- With files from Paul Pedro.