Ford closes its St. Thomas assembly plant, throwing hundreds out of work
Posted September 15, 2011 1:02 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The final chapter of the Ford assembly plant in St. Thomas, Ont., officially came to a close Thursday when the last sedan rolled off the assembly line, throwing hundreds of people out of work.
Workers have known since 2009 that the plant would be closing. The facility has been producing Fords, including Pintos, Fairmonts, Mavericks and other vehicles, for 44 years.
Ford Motor Co.’s plant had most recently been building Lincoln Town Cars and Crown Victorias.
The Canadian Auto Workers union and Ford put together compensation packages allowing about 200 workers to take early retirement. About 50 positions may be available at other Ford plants, according to the London Free Press.
A severance package has been offered to the hundreds of other people now out of work, as well as three years of job-search and retraining assistance from the union.
Ford, which is the country’s top automaker, has recently made investments in its engine plant in Windsor and assembly plant in Oakville.
On Wednesday, provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath vowed to create a jobs commissioner — a position that would be aimed at protecting jobs and finding solutions when layoffs are announced. She made the announcement at the St. Thomas plant.
With files from The Canadian Press
