About 165 employees at Wescast Industries’ Wingham, Ontario, machining plant went on strike on Thursday, affecting production at the components company that supplies major manufacturers including Ford and Nissan, Reuters reported.
Employees at the plant in southwestern Ontario, whose contract expired on July 1, reportedly walked off the job early on Thursday after talks over a new contract failed.
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Brantford, Ontario-based Wescast makes exhaust manifolds for cars and light trucks and the Wingham plant supplies parts to customers including Ford, Mazda, and Nissan, Reuters noted.
Mark Goetz, president of Canadian Auto Workers union Local (branch) 4207, told the news agency talks collapsed primarily over benefits issues. “We’re miles apart yet on wages and benefits,” Goetz reportedly said. “This could be dragged out. The company’s taken a hard stance also.”
