Unifor says 170 union jobs are at risk after Diageo announced it will close its Crown Royal bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., in February 2026, and the union vowed to fight the decision.
Unifor National President Lana Payne criticized the company’s move and said the union and workers were not consulted before the public announcement.
“Diageo did not have the decency or dignity to talk to the union or its members prior to announcing this closure publicly, knowing how unpopular this decision will be in the region, in a province that continues to boycott American liquor, and in a country determined to protect jobs here at home,” said Payne. “This company will be talking to Unifor and to these workers—the easy way, or the hard way.”
Unifor Local 200 President John D’Agnolo said the shutdown would extend beyond the plant floor.
“This isn’t just about the 170 union jobs at the plant, this is about the families, our community and our country. It’s about how we put our elbows up to protect Canadian jobs,” said D’Agnolo. “This facility is the largest employer in Amherstburg and the heart and soul of the community. The decision to close the plant makes no sense and shows no loyalty to Canadian workers.”
The news came as delegates to Unifor’s 5th Constitutional Convention prepared to rally in Vancouver to “Protect Canadian Jobs,” reinforcing the union’s call for industry and government action to invest in Canadian workers, according to the union.
Unifor says it is Canada’s largest private-sector union, representing 320,000 workers across major sectors of the economy.
