Brothers and Sisters,
In addition to the one week lay-off that was already announced for the week beginning Monday March 1st 2021, late today the company announced that they would be suspending production effective Monday February 22nd 2021. This is due to unusual and extreme weather conditions in the southern United States that have resulted in unexpected part shortages at Oakville Assembly Complex.
The company is expected to inform everyone in production of the temporary lay-offs with a robo-call tonight.
For those that have to start a new Employment Insurance claim or need to re-open their existing claim (as you previously declared that you returned to work full time), our Union Benefit Rep Paul Ivey is already attempting to obtain a new reference code from Service Canada. He hopes to be able to provide this to the membership later next week, so members may use it with their Employment Insurance application.
For those that are still able to report to Service Canada with their existing personal access code, continue to do so to claim for E.I benefits.
I will continue to update the membership with further information, as it becomes available.
In Solidarity,
Mark Sciberras
President, Unifor Local 707
