The union representing locked-out Titan Tool and Die employees has claimed the company has cleared raw material out of its Windsor plant.
Unifor Local 195 reported in a media release Thursday afternoon that its representatives witnessed the removal of raw materials from the building.
The union believes that the materials are being moved to the U.S.
"This company is trying to pull a fast one on our members, our union and the entire Windsor community, hiding the betrayal of its workforce behind the smokescreen of a lockout," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "First, they emptied the plant, then they locked out our members, and now they're loading up the last of the raw material. Titan Tool & Die's owner knows if Canadians knew what they're up to, the outrage would be fierce."
Unifor Local 195 President Emile Nabbout said he was disappointed in what he perceives as deceit.
"What cuts the deepest is not the fact that Titan locked our members out, or the trucks removing the last of plant's raw materials, it's that Titan refuses to look our members in the eyes and admit what they're doing," said Nabbout. "They've fed off the skill and loyalty of our members for decades, and now they think they can just suck this place dry and move on."
Some 25 employees were locked out on Monday, August 11, after talks on a new contract fell through.
The company had previously stated it was experiencing financial hardship.
WindsorNewsToday.ca has reached out to Titan Tool and Die for a response to the union's charges, but has not yet received one.
