Chrysler’s announcement that it’s investing $2 billion in its Windsor, ON, minivan plant was welcome news by workers in the automotive industry.
“Nothing is more valuable to a company than a skilled and dedicated workforce,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s president, commenting on the heels of the news. “With this announcement, Chrysler is recognizing that the plant where it launched the minivan is the ideal place to bring the vehicle in the modern era.”
Fiat Chrysler chief executive Sergio Marchionne confirmed that a new hybrid minivan will be built at the plant. It was the first time the company has said how much the planned three-month upgrade and expansion scheduled to begin in February will cost.
Dias said the announcement will have ripple effects throughout the economy, citing studies that have shown that every job in a major auto plant create nine others throughout the economy in the auto parts and other industries.
He called on the provincial and federal governments to work with labour and industry to develop an auto strategy so Canada can build on a spate of recent investment announcements to help ensure a stable future for the industry.
“Strong communities and bright futures for our young people means we need to create more good jobs in this country,” Dias said. “We all have a role in making that happen.”
