FCA's Windsor Assembly Plant, Caesars Windsor reopening uncertain says union president

The futureof twoof Windsor's largest workplaces isstill up in the air.

Both Caesars Windsor and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Canada's Windsor Assembly Planthave been closed since mid-March.

As the president of Unifor Local 444, Dave Cassidy represents approximately 2,300 employees at the casino, and 6,400 at the assembly plant.

The assembly plant which at one point was slated to open May 4 has set up tents outside of the entry gates where employees will be screened before entering.

"Those tents are going to be almost like a staging area," said Cassidy.

An app has beencreated for employees to answer various medical questions, and they will havetheir temperatures checked before entering the factory.

"They're trying to do whatever they can to make sure they can bring the people back," said Cassidy, explaining there are added barriers for work stations, personal protective gear for workers, and officials are working on ways people can safely physically distance from one another while at work stations and also on breaks.

"We spenthours upon hours on what it's going to look like in the facility," said Cassidy.

But a start date has not been finalized.

"They're aiming now for the 19th," he said. "But Idon't know if it's doable."

Cassidy said stricter work orders in Michigan are impacting theflow of parts to the Windsorarea.

"That's a big factor," he said.

Kathy McKaywill havebeen working for Chrysler for25 years this June. She said she knows they have to go back eventually, but McKay is worried about safely social distancing in the plant.

"I'm concerned as to the conditions that we normally work under, social distancing will not be possible and even simple things like using the restroom are going tobe complicated," she said.

"We have to go up 27 steps to the washroom. Trying to pass peoplegoing up and down and especially for women workersthatgenerally have smaller washrooms," she said. "We end up standing in line an awful lot just to use the washroom, the sink or a trough sink that everybody has to stand around."

McKay said the company issued a "robocall" to employees, explaining that a back-to-work package was on its way.She said she hasn't received information about the return yet.

"I'm actually more concerned now aboutlosing the third shift," she said. "Before we had an end date of July. I don't know how this will affect it. I don't know how this will affect the community."

FCAhas extended the third shift a number of times since announcing plans in March 2019 to terminate the shift.

As of March 2020, the third shift is set to be terminated on July 13.

The union president will have a walk-through of the facility this week, and is hopeful people can get back to work soon.

"There's some anxieties out there," Cassidy said of the employees he represents.

Many are worried about making ends meet even with employment insurance coming through.

In an email, FCA Canada spokesperson LouAnn Gosselinwrote that there is no official return date just yet.

"More details about back-to-work protocols will be shared closer to the time," Gosselin wrote, adding "there are no further announcements [regarding the] third shift."

Worries casino could be 'last in the province' to open

While there appears to be movement at the assembly plant, Caesars Windsor might be more difficult to get up and running again.

"I'm concerned it's going to be one of the last in the province to open ... the casino business," said Cassidy, citing the many challenges for reopening the large facility.

There are ongoing discussions about things likedividers between players, the chips they use, various gaming floor protocols, and if the hotel will reopen and if so, how.

"It's such an unknown at this time," said Cassidy. "My fear is the casino will be one of the last to open up in the province. We have a lot of workers there that depend on it."

Cassidy said casino officials are "right on top of it" when it comes to ongoing discussions and how and when to restart.

However, the province is slowly phasing in a reopening strategy and as Cassidy mentioned, it's unclear when a business like a casino may be added to the list.

The Ontariogovernment is allowing some workplaces to reopen Monday, as long as they meet"strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak."

The provinceannounced on Fridaythe following businesses are allowed to reopen or prepare to reopen under strict guidelines:

• Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pickup and delivery only.
• Lawn care and landscaping.
• Additional essential construction projects that include shipping and logistics;broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure;any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services; municipal projects; colleges and universities; child-care centres; schools; and site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development.
• Automatic and self-serve car washes.
• Auto dealerships, open by appointment only.
• Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public.
• Marinas may also begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. Boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.

The province also noted in itsnews release that it is criticalthat people continue to stay home, practise physical distancing, and only go out for essential reasons.