Scott Shappit – Chairperson, Unifor Local 707, Unit #2

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

First, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and provide some background on my time at Oakville Ford Assembly. I have been working at the facility since December 2008 and, over the past 18 years, I have had the opportunity to work in every department, primarily on the night shift.

Since taking on the role of Chairperson, I have been working to familiarize myself with changes to company policies and procedures while continuing to work with our members and management to address concerns and improve working conditions. It has been a challenging period at times, particularly throughout the retooling process, when our membership numbers experienced several ups and downs.

I am pleased to report that, as of June 1, 2026, we have returned to our full membership complement and have even welcomed six additional Brothers and Sisters. I am hopeful that these numbers will continue to grow as production increases and more laid-off Unit #1 members return to work.

The entire facility has undergone significant changes. We have all had to adapt to new jobs, revised travel paths, and the addition of the new Stamping Plant, all while maintaining a strong safety record and continuing to meet our customers’ expectations. I want to recognize everyone who has contributed to making this transition as successful as possible.

Manning and Departmental Changes

Manning levels across all departments and shifts have changed considerably. With those changes comes the challenge of ensuring that everything is properly organized and that workloads are distributed as fairly as possible.

I want to thank all members who have made personal sacrifices and adjustments to help us get to where we are today. A great deal of work has gone into trying to establish fairness and consistency for every member of Unit #2.

Moving forward, input from the membership will continue to be important. Your ideas, concerns, and suggestions help us identify areas that need improvement and will assist us in making things better for everyone.

Joint Health and Safety (JHS) and Leadership

I have maintained open communication with our Joint Health and Safety team, particularly the Day Shift Representative. I believe that by working together, respecting each other’s responsibilities, and maintaining clear communication, we can establish a consistent approach when workplace concerns or safety issues arise.

If you have a question or concern, our JHS representatives are available and easy to contact. Their contact information can be found on the Health and Safety boards throughout the departments.

You can also speak with your supervisor or manager and request to meet with a JHS representative or your Union representative. Please do not hesitate to bring forward any workplace health and safety concerns. Maintaining a safe working environment is everyone’s responsibility.

Skid Building and Removal

Leadec submitted a bid for the skid-building and removal work; unfortunately, we were not awarded the contract.

This outcome helps explain some of the challenges we face with manning in certain departments. I remain hopeful that these jobs will eventually return to Local 707 members, whether through Ford or Leadec. Our priority must always be protecting and maintaining good union jobs for our membership.

Flatbeds and Golf Carts

Most of our PMHVs (Powered Material Handling Vehicles) have now been replaced with golf carts. While these changes may seem minor, they have resulted in the loss of approximately four feet of transportation and cargo space.

Our members are still expected to complete their assigned jobs while working with less available space. I want to remind everyone to take extra care when operating these vehicles.

Please do not overload the rear cargo bed with garbage or other materials, as doing so may obstruct your visibility. Always ensure that the rear drop gate is properly secured before operating the vehicle.

These reminders may seem simple, but everyone’s safety is important. Please take the time to operate the equipment responsibly and look out for one another.

Vacation Entitlements

With the summer vacation period behind us, we have returned to the 10% vacation allotment per department and per shift.

This allotment will remain in effect until May 1, 2027. Members planning vacation time should be mindful of their department’s current headcount and available vacation allotment when submitting requests.

As a reminder, SPA does not count against the 10% vacation allotment. If you have questions about vacation scheduling or entitlements, please contact your Union representative.

Washroom Cleaning and Access

The cleaning of washrooms continues to be an ongoing challenge in certain departments.

Due to current manning levels, some shifts do not have female members available to clean the women’s washrooms, while other shifts do not have male members available to clean the men’s washrooms. We have explored several different arrangements in an attempt to address this issue, but unfortunately, we have not yet found a solution that works consistently.

At the time of writing this report, the Company has agreed to purchase five shower-rod door stoppers for departments where these manning challenges occur. These devices will allow signage to be displayed at the washroom entrance, advising members when cleaning is taking place.

While these measures may not completely resolve the issue, I hope that our Unit #1 and Unit #2 Brothers and Sisters will continue to support our members by respecting the signage and allowing them the space and opportunity to perform their assigned duties safely and properly.

A clean and safe workplace is something we all benefit from, and cooperation from everyone is appreciated.

Acknowledgements and Appreciation

As I conclude this report, I want to recognize and thank several individuals who have contributed to our membership and helped throughout this period of transition.

First, I would like to thank former Chairperson, Dan Bachmeier for his time and dedication during his term, as well as for his assistance in making the transition into this position as smooth as possible.

I would also like to acknowledge Amanda Basso, our current Shift #2 Representative; Rick Tavares from Joint Health and Safety; Berna Linawan, our Afternoon Shift Representative; and Eva Vallejos for their continued involvement and contributions.

I would also like to extend special recognition to Brother Romesh Gentles for his two years of dedicated service to our membership through the Halton Action Centre. During the retooling period, Romesh played an important role in helping members who required additional assistance and support. His contributions went beyond the workplace, providing valuable help to our Brothers and Sisters during a particularly challenging time.

In addition to his work at the Action Centre, Romesh serves as the recognized Racial Justice Advocate (RJA) for our membership. He was appointed to this responsibility by Vice President Dave Millar to provide advocacy and support when called upon under the Collective Agreement. This includes assisting members and elected representatives when controversial or sensitive situations arise that require additional guidance, support, or representation.

These responsibilities are an important part of ensuring that our members have someone they can turn to when they need assistance. I want to thank Romesh for his continued commitment, dedication, and willingness to help our membership.

I also want to acknowledge Charmaine Bush, who has moved on to pursue another career but has maintained contact with some of our members. We wish her continued success.

Most importantly, I want to thank all the members who have taken the time to share their concerns, provide suggestions, and actively participate in making our workplace better. Your involvement and willingness to speak up are essential to effective Union representation.

We must continue to demonstrate to the Company that our membership stands together. Solidarity across all departments, shifts, and units is what makes us stronger. Regardless of our individual jobs or responsibilities, we are all Brothers and Sisters working toward the same goals: fairness, respect, safety, and the protection of our union jobs.

I look forward to continuing to work with all of you and representing the interests of our Unit #2 (Leadec) membership.

In Solidarity,

Scott Shappit

Leadec Unit ChairpersonUnifor Local 707 – Unit #2

Ford Oakville Assembly
1 The Canadian Road
Oakville, ON L6J 5C9

Tel: 905-845-2511 Ext. 2834