Japanese shockwaves hit Oshawa Assembly
Flex line facing two-week shut down following earthquakes overseas
Rescue workers face debris left by earthquakes that hit the Kumamoto region of Japan earlier this month. The quakes, which left 48 people dead and injured thousands more, has made an impact in Oshawa, with the Oshawa Assembly’s flex line closing down for two weeks due to the plant’s supply chain being affected. Colin James, the president of Unifor Local 222, says the temporary shutdown will affect approximately 1,500 workers.
By Graeme McNaughton/The Oshawa Express
Things are going to be quieter at the Oshawa Assembly for the next couple of weeks.
That is because the facility’s flex line has been shut down, effective April 25, for two weeks due to recent earthquakes in Japan. The shutdown will affect approximately 1,500 workers at the plant, who will be laid off for the time being.
Colin James, the president of Unifor Local 222, says the union was notified on Thursday, April 21 that the shutdown would be taking place.
“With the earthquake in Japan, it’s affected our supply chain. One of our suppliers has been affected. GM is trying to get an interim supplier, however, they’re laying the workers off…for two weeks,” James tells The Oshawa Express.
“Obviously, when it comes to people being off work and affecting their money, we’re not impressed that it was short notice. However, they were given short notice from the supply chain.”
James says he was not sure what it was that was coming from the Japanese supplier, but that he believes they supply a couple of items for the plant.
Adria MacKenzie, General Motors of Canada’s communications manager, tells The Oshawa Express in an emailed statement that the shutdown will only affect the flex line, and that the consolidated line will continue to be in operation.
The Kumamoto region of Japan was hit by several earthquakes earlier this month, including one with a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale on April 14 and 7.0 on April 16. In total, 48 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured as a result of the two quakes.
There was another earthquake measuring 6.1 on April 20 off the northeastern coast of the country, but no damage or injuries were reported.
The Oshawa Assembly isn’t the only manufacturing plant to be affected by the recent earthquakes. General Motors’ production facilities in Lordstown, Ohio, Spring Hill, Tennessee and Fairfax, Kansas, will also be facing temporary shut downs. Manufacturing for Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda has also been hit hard by the earthquake, with both shutting down their plants in the affected region.