A Canadian auto workers union is set to fight Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) plans to axe the third shift at the Windsor, Ontario minivan plant.

FCA would offer retirement packages as it removes 1,500 jobs from the Windsor assembly plant, thedetroitbureau.com reported.

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“As previously announced in March 2019, FCA intends to return the Windsor Assembly Plant to a traditional two shift operation, now scheduled to begin on 13 July, 2020, in order to better align production with global demand. This action will affect approximately 1,500 people,” FCA spokeswoman Jodi Tinson was quoted as saying by email.

Tinson also said retirement packages were being offered to eligible employees. The company would make “every effort” to recall laid off hourly employees for placement, based on seniority, in open full time positions as they became available, she added.

The company is cutting the Dodge Grand Caravan from the plant, the Chrysler Pacifica continues.

David Cassidy, president of Unifor Local 444 in Windsor, was quoted by thedetroitbureau.com saying the union planned to continue fighting the cuts. Unifor and FCA are scheduled to begin negotiations on a new labour contract this summer.

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Cassidy reportedly said in a post on the local’s website FCA would begin operations of two shifts with three separate crews on 22 June. The elimination of the full third production shift “is still slated to go” on 13 July, Cassidy said.

“I tried taking this company to the mattresses to offer more money in the buyout. We even tried pushing for packages for new hires. We have fought these issues all the way to the top of the company. To all of it, they said they are simply ‘sticking to the contract’,” he said.

“I am sick about all of this! The company has not made any of this easy and the unwillingness has left a terrible taste in my mouth that I am sure to take with me into bargaining,” he added.

The report said Fiat Chrysler was phasing out the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan in favour of just the Chrysler Pacifica.

Cassidy has said representatives from FCA would be out canvassing senior employees for buyouts. The details of the packages being offered haven’t been revealed, detroitbureau.com noted.