An ongoing microchip shortage has forced an automaker to make production adjustments in Windsor.
Stellantis announced Friday afternoon that it will move production at its Windsor Assembly Plant to one shift in spring 2022, with the shortage one of the factors.
"The global automotive industry continues to face significant headwinds such as the persisting semiconductor shortage and the extended effects of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Stellantis Canada spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin in an email to WindsorNewsToday.ca. "In response to these factors, Stellantis will adjust production operations at its Windsor Assembly Plant in Canada. Beginning in the spring of 2022, WAP will transition to a one-shift operation."
The statement from Stellantis did not specify how long the one-shift operation would last. Currently, the plant is operating with two shifts. About 1,800 jobs are affected.
Unifor Local 444, which represents hourly workers at the plant, did not provide details beyond a post on its Facebook page Friday afternoon.
"The company served the union official notice late this afternoon that they will be moving to a one-shift operation at the Windsor assembly plant on April 17, 2022," read the post. "We will be meeting with the company in the coming days to explore all other options; however official notice has been given. The company reiterated their commitment to their bargained investment and the three-shift operation in the future. We will be getting more specifics over the course of the weekend and the upcoming days. Please be patient."
The plant had been operating on-and-off for much of 2021 because of a widespread microchip shortage that has affected automakers worldwide, and resulted in much lower inventory for auto dealers.
The news comes one day after the automaker followed suit from its Detroit "Big Three" counterparts by requiring all employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
