Hundreds of locals could be out of work if GM in Oshawa closes

Photo: Colin Williamson

KAWARTHA LAKES-Hundreds of locals could be out of work if General Motors announces on Monday it will cease operations in Oshawa.

In a statement emailed to Kawartha 411 Sunday night, Unifor the Union representing auto workers at the plant said they have been told there will be a major announcement from GM tomorrow.

This is the statement in it’s entirety:

“Unifor received notification today from General Motors that the company will make a major announcement tomorrow that will impact its global operations. While the union does not have complete details of the overall announcement we have been informed that, as of now, there is no product allocated to the Oshawa Assembly Plant past December 2019. Based on commitments made during 2016 contract negotiations, Unifor does not accept this announcement and is immediately calling on GM to live up to the spirit of that agreement. Unifor is scheduled to hold a discussion with General Motors tomorrow and will provide further comment following the meeting.” 

Some news outlets have reported that GM intends to announce it will be shutting down operations in Oshawa. The Union would not confirm that.

Up to 1000 people from Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes region make the daily drive to Oshawa to work at the GM plant according to a My Kawartha report on the biggest employers in the area.  However the closure could effect more than the workers at the plant with sub contractors and parts suppliers also affected. Armada Toolworks in Lindsay is a General Motors supplier.