Nemak to close plant in Canada, affecting 500 workers

Nearly 500 more workers will be out of a job when Nemak Essex Aluminum closes a plant in Ontario in the first quarter of 2009, says Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove.

"This is a crushing blow to Ford/Nemak workers and the Windsor area, which has one of the highest unemployment rates of any large city across the country," said Hargrove.

Hargrove says that the February 8 announcement is further evidence that Canada needs to deal with the issue of unbalanced trade with Asia and Europe and the soaring Canadian dollar which are eroding the country's auto industry.

"The Harper government must move quickly to develop a long-term automotive policy that will both stop the job loss and rebuild Canada's most important industry," he said.

Nemak workers are represented by CAW Local 200.

"This is extremely frustrating and disappointing news for our members, who have already been living under the weight of job insecurity for many months," said Mike Vince, president of CAW Local 200 and chair of the Ford Master Bargaining Committee.

The announcement also underlines the necessity of federal government support for the Ford Essex Engine plant, which has the possibility of re-opening its doors, if the government is willing, said Vince.

Nemak produces aluminum heads for Ford engines and is a joint venture of Ford Motor Company and the Mexican firm Alfa.