Ambassador Bridge blockade leaves local auto workers uneasy

The head of an auto industry group representing Toyota's three Ontario manufacturing plants says protesters blocking the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor are hurting an industry still working to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"It is ironic that the so-called 'freedom convoy' is denying the very freedoms they espouse by preventing businesses from operating, workers from doing their jobs, and individual citizens from going about their day-to-day business," said David Adams, president of the Global Automakers of Canada. 

Yesterday the blockade of the Windsor-Detroit border crossing entered its fourth day. The blockade is a key reason why production lines at Toyota's three Ontario plants — two in Cambridge, one in Woodstock — were idle this week. 

Adams said vehicle manufacturing between the United States and Canada is highly integrated and relies on a sophisticated just-in-time delivery process for parts, which typically are not stored in large quantities at the plants. 

"If they can't get parts, it typically does shut down the production lines," said Adams. "Automakers in Canada and the U.S. rely on one another," he said. 

In a statement, Toyota said the company is dealing with parts shortages at all three plants. However, the company says for now, those shortages won't result in any staff reductions, even with vehicle production on hold. 

Situation 'stressful' for auto workers

The situation was still a cause for concern for workers on a break at the Woodstock plant on Thursday. 

Michael Aspen has worked at the plant for two years. 

"I think all of us want to go back to normal work, so I hope this gets figured out soon," he said. "It's definitely stressful." 

Mike VanBoekel is the plant chair of the Unifor local that represents 1,700 workers at CAMI in Ingersoll, Ont. At the GM plant, CAMI is in the process of transitioning to electric vehicle production. For now, production hasn't been disrupted, but that can change suddenly. 

"[The protests] could affect us really quickly," said VanBoekel. "If we run out of parts, they'll shut us down and if there's no work, you get sent home. But hopefully, it gets resolved very quickly."

The CAMI plant is already scheduled to stop production in the last week of April to re-tool for electric vehicle production, a process that could take seven months. Until that happens, VanBoekel said it's important for workers that production lines continue to operate to avoid shutdowns or layoffs.

"Our guys shouldn't be out of work just because these people are holding up traffic on the bridge," he said. "At our plant, you either get vaccinated, or you stay home without pay."

Some industry groups and the City of Windsor were seeking a court injunction on Thursday to end the blockade at the bridge.

That's good news to Adams, who says governments should step in if a solution can't be found in the courts.

"[The protesters] point has been made," said Adams. "Governments at all levels need to ensure that the blockade is now dispersed."