Union leaders expressed anger and confusion over U.S. President Donald Trump's latest executive order to implement tariffs on automobiles and auto-parts.
"We're pissed and not for a minute we're going to allow this to happen. We have to put some things in place to protect us," said Unifor Local 200 President John D'agnolo.
Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on all automobiles and auto parts not produced in the U.S. on Wednesday. The White House further clarified that and vehicles brought into the U.S. under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) will only be taxed on their non-American parts.
D'agnolo said there is a lot of unrest among workers and that is already having an impact locally.
"When you have unrest you don't shop. When you have unrest you don't buy anything and it's already impacting our community. When you don't have stability it affects your plans," said D'agnolo.
Unifor representatives stood behind NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Liberal Leader Mark Carney during visits to Windsor this week. The unions pledged to work with any government willing to stand up to fight for workers.