Just as the Windsor Assembly Plant prepares to start full production next week, there's some concern about contract talks with auto parts manufacturers.
Unifor Local 444 has been in talks with TRW, HPBO, Dakkota and Oakley for months. The contracts for about 500 workers at those plants expired in March.
Local President Dino Chiodo says the union will meet with officials from Oakley Friday. He says monetary issues have proven more challenging than anticipated, so bargaining has taken a break. "I would hate to have to bargain to a deadline, which would put us into strike action capabilities," he says. "I don't think that's a necessity at this moment, but it's starting to show that it might be something we'll have to do in the long run."
Union officials plan to sit down with management at TRW next week.
Workers at the assembly plant returned to work this week for training.
