There are 180 jobs on the road at Accuride in London Ont. as the corporate restructures.
The North American division of the agency has filed for cover from its collectors in Canada and the U.S. – and this comes as unsettling information for the workers represented by Unifor Native 27.
The plant has been an east London fixture because it opened as Firestone in 1968, and for 3 many years, as much as 800 workers loved excessive wages and advantages.
Nevertheless, within the ensuing years, Accuride grew to become the location of a bitter strike, downsizing, and wage concessions.
Now, workers have been blindsided by the Chapter 11 filling within the U.S. and a Corporations’ Collectors Association Act software in Canada.
The event comes simply as contract talks in London have been slated to start.
“I do not imagine it is a bluff,” stated Luis Domingues, a Unifor Native 27 Nationwide Rep, representing employees.
Unifor Native 27 Nationwide Rep Luis Domingues, seen on Oct. 16, 2024. (Sean Irvine/ London)
He bought wind of Accuride’s plans only a few hours forward of workers.
“Members are worried. This is a big blow,” he conceded.
Still, Domingues told London that he was told the company is set on selling the business, not closing it.
“Look, the message we received from the employer is that they’re going to do their damnedest to sell it. We have had no discussions of plant closures with them – their message is they’re going to take some time and make sure they can find a buyer for a great quality product and great workers. Hopefully, the jobs stay in the community and with the families that need them,” stated Domingues.
Accuride in London Ont., seen on Oct. 16, 2024. (Sean Irvine/ London)
The corporate says it would take as much as 100 days to finish the restructuring. It has acquired $30 million from its lenders to maintain operations shifting as regular.
That assures employees they’ll be paid by Christmas.
Domingues hopes a sale might be secured earlier than then, arguing the London plant is a tempting funding, “I do believe that the product is so good, and the business case is so good, that we should find the buyer for that place.”
Unionized employees at Accuride presently earn between $24 and $44 per hour.
In an announcement to , a spokesperson for Accuride wrote, “Accuride is in an lively sale course of to find out if there’s a purchaser for our London facility. If a sale can’t be consummated, we’ll start to wind down that location. We’re working with our clients to grasp their necessities, which is able to decide the timeframe for a possible wind down, if a sale can’t be accomplished.”
