OSHAWA -- General Motors workers have blocked the main vehicle entrance to the GM Canada head office in Oshawa in the wake of Tuesday's announcement that the Oshawa truck plant will close.
The protest this morning began about 3:30 a.m and just 24 hours after workers began getting word that the plant will close in 2009.
Close to 100 union members -- including current workers and retirees -- have gathered so far and the union says more are expected to join the protest throughout the day.
CAW local 222 president Chris Buckley says the union wants a face to
face meeting with General Motors officials and an explanation from the
company on why they decide to close the plant.
At 7:20 a.m., Mr. Buckley and other union officials began walking up to the headquarters building where they spoke with Durham Regional Police who are on the scene.
Police asked the union to allow workers into the Minacs plant that shares an access route with GM.
A company spokesperson told reporter Stefanie Swinson that the company will not be coming out to speak with the union because it's not "the right environment" for a discussion.
The union says the protest will continue as long as it takes.
Vehicle traffic on Colonel Sam Drive is backed up as far west as Farewell St., more than 1.5 kilometres from the company headquarters building.
One head office employee told said he's been told by a supervisor to return home and wait for a phone call.
Meantime, Mr. Buckley is asking workers on the day shift at the plant to report for work as normal and continue to build the "best truck in North America".
The union says the company's decision to close the Oshawa plant will eliminate 2,600 jobs.
Online reporter Stefanie Swinson and newsdurhamregion.com will provide updates through the morning.
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