Province opens employment aid clinic for Windsor FCA third shift auto workers

The provincial government and theauto workers union local have launched an employment aid centre for Windsor workers unemployed by the layoffs at Fiat Chrysler this year.

During a news conference Friday, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development MonteMcNaughton officially opened the centre, located in the basement ofUnifor Hall in Windsor. The government contributed more than $210,000 and FCA, along with some feeder plants, matched the funding, allowing $440,000 for the centre to operate.

The service seeks to helpthe 800 workers that were laid off from the third shift at FCA in July. It will assistthem inlooking for a new job, writing resumes or cover letters and even give them food, if needed.

"The goal is to ensure that anyone who is out of work today can get the training necessary and find jobs as quickly as possible," McNaughton said.

President of Unifor Local 444 Dave Cassidy, who represents the laid off auto workers, said he'sthankful for the funding and support to get people back into the workforce.

"It's a good evil, it's a good story that we can have this action centre for our laid off people but unfortunately we've lost the third shift and this will be a stop gap until we get that third shift back," he said.

At this time, the centre is operating virtually and over the phone. As of Friday, 40 people had already sought help.

The centre will be open until November 2021.