Ontario Supporting Auto Workers in Windsor

New and extended employment action centres will help over 800 laid-off workers from Syncreon and Stellantis get back to work quickly

November 25, 2022

Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

WINDSOR — The Ontario government is standing with auto workers in Windsor by investing more than $550,000 in employment action centres to help them connect with the services and training they need to further their careers. The funding will support the launch of an action centre dedicated to serving the 289 workers impacted by layoffs at Syncreon and extend the existing action centre for 530 workers impacted by rolling Stellantis layoffs, so they can get back to work quickly.

“Ontario’s auto industry is the backbone of our economy, and our government stands shoulder-to-shoulder with laid-off workers in Windsor,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our province has attracted more than $16 billion in investments over the last two years to become a global leader in building cars of the future. These action centres will ensure workers get the support they need to enter these new careers and earn bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.”

Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, announced this investment at Unifor Local 444 in Windsor, where he was joined by Dave Cassidy, President of Local 444 and member of Unifor’s National Executive Board, and Andrew Leardi, MPP for Essex.

Working in partnership with Unifor Local 195, the Syncreon Action Centre offers a wide range of dedicated supports to help affected workers prepare to re-enter the workforce and land well-paying auto jobs of the future. Supports include assistance with job searches, individually tailored career planning, one-to-one peer counselling, and support with resume writing and cover letters.

“We are thrilled with the announcement to extend the action center for our displaced members from Stellantis, Integram, Dakkota, HBPO, ZF, and Avancez,” said Dave Cassidy, President of Unifor Local 444. “The Action Center has been an incredible hub of resources to give our unemployed members as many opportunities as possible to help them progress in this difficult period in their lives. We thank Minister McNaughton for his commitment to Unifor with this extension.”

The Ontario government is also extending funding for the existing Stellantis Action Centre in Windsor run by Unifor Local 444. This will allow workers from Stellantis and its feeder plants, Integram, Dakkota, HBPO, ZF and Avancez, to continue to access the training they need to prepare for better jobs and more take-home pay.

“This incredible partnership with Unifor Local 195 puts the province’s funds for retraining exactly where they can be used to help the most,” said Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor‑Tecumseh. “It will help many of Windsor-Tecumseh residents get back on their feet, building on the success already shown by our government’s partnership with Unifor Local 444. Thank you to Unifor for delivering this service and I’m proud to see our government help play a part in it.”

The Ontario government invests more than $1 billion each year in employment services and training programs like Better Jobs Ontario and the Skills Development Fund to help Ontario workers train for in-demand and meaningful careers in their communities. These investments are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to attract, support, and protect workers, making Ontario the best place to work, live and raise a family.

“This commitment from the Government of Ontario alongside Unifor National speaks volumes,” said Emile Nabbout, President of Unifor Local 195. “This is the main reason behind this action centre – to care for Syncreon workers and their families and to ensure that the 289 workers have an opportunity to gain meaningful employment.”

Quick Facts

  • The new Syncreon Action Centre will operate until at least October 2023 and is located at 3400 Somme Avenue in Windsor.
  • The extended Stellantis Action Centre will be run until at least November 2023 and is located at 1855 Turner Road in Windsor. The Stellantis Action Centre has served 800 workers to date.
  • There are roughly 13,000 job vacancies in the Windsor-Sarnia region.
  • With 700 locations provincewide, the Employment Ontario network offers a range of services and supports that help job seekers find training and job opportunities and businesses find the talent they need.