The union representing some 200 Diageo employees at the Amherstburg plant says the company shut the plant early and without warning.
Unifor Local 200 said the workers were told on Wednesday that it was their last day. The plant was scheduled to close on Friday.
Local 200 President John D'Agnolo called the early closing a form of cowardice.
"It’s clear Diageo didn’t want to face the scrutiny that would have come on the final day of operations, so its overseas executives opted to slink out of Ontario instead," said D'Agnolo. "Canadians will not forget that Diageo is a company that chose to walk away from a loyal workforce and add insult to injury by bottling a marquee Canadian whisky in America."
The early closure also got the attention of Unifor National President Lana Payne.
"This is a final show of disrespect for Canadian workers as Diageo moves their jobs south of the border to appease Donald Trump," said Payne. "This is a sad day for our members and for this community, which has a century-long storied history of whisky making."
Diageo will pay the employees for the final two days.
The drinks manufacturer announced the closing of the Amherstburg plant in August 2025. Diageo said at the time that the closing was needed to address supply chain issues.
The news sparked backlash from the Ontario government. Premier Doug Ford once poured out a bottle of Crown Royal whisky during a press conference.
Queens Park announced a deal with Diageo earlier this month in which the company promised $23-million to expand its operations in Ontario. $1.1-million of that money is going to the Town of Amherstburg. Ford agreed in return to keep Crown Royal whisky on LCBO shelves.
Unifor said it will continue to work with the provincial government and Amherstburg to get a new employer to open the property, which has been put up for sale.
