Locked out workers at Titan Tool & Die will stage a vehicle caravan protest through Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday as their labour dispute reaches 100 days, surpassing the city’s longest recorded strike.
Unifor Local 195 members and supporters will drive through Windsor from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at the company’s Howard Avenue facility and passing by Windsor City Hall. The union says the lockout has now exceeded the 99-day Ford strike in 1945.
Union alleges equipment moved to U.S. facility
The union says the company has moved equipment and materials to a facility in the United States and is demanding concessions from workers. Three workers have sustained injuries on the picket line, according to the union.
“The lockout at Titan Tool & Die has gone on far too long. Our members have shown nothing but dedication, working for decades to keep this company successful and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Lana Payne, Unifor national president. “Canadian-owned companies have a responsibility to protect Canadian jobs, not move production to the United States to squeeze out a few more dollars.”
Lockout extends beyond historic Ford strike
The dispute has now lasted longer than the Ford strike that began in September 1945, which the union identifies as Windsor’s previous longest labour action.
Payne said workers have faced harassment by managers during the lockout. The union is calling on Titan Tool & Die to end the lockout and negotiate a deal.
Unifor represents 320,000 workers across Canada in the private sector. The protest will feature Payne, Samia Hashi, Unifor Ontario regional director, and Emile Nabbout, Unifor Local 195 president.
