Engine Shortage Forces Temporary Layoffs At Chrysler Windsor Plant

WINDSOR (WWJ) - The Chrysler Windsor Assembly Plant is losing a shift for the next three weeks because of a shortage of engines.

That's according to the president of CAW Local 444, Rick LaPorte.

"They've removed a shift out of the plant, so we're gonna run instead of a three shift operation, we'll run a two shift operation for the next three weeks taking out , obviously, a week's production," LaPorte told WWJ Newsradio 950.

"The company notified us yesterday they'll be short-shifting ... not short shifting, actually taking a shift out over the next four weeks, so they'll be taking out everybody," he said. "Each shift will take a week off and again the reason for that obviously ... we're not able to get enough engines here in Windsor."

LaPorte said, however, it's not just a problem at the Canada plant, but a company wide shortage.

"It would be my understanding that the company obviously is diverting engines, you know, wherever the demand is for that particular vehicle," LaPorte said. "So, I don't think it's particularly a Windsor Assembly Plant issue. I think it's just a Chrysler issue with engines."

LaPorte said workers will apply for unemployment insurance with the one week layoff.