Supplier strike shuts down Chrysler plant

WINDSOR, Ontario, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Factory workers at TRW Automotive walked off the job Thursday night, causing a quick shutdown at Chrysler LLC's van plant in Windsor, Ontario.

The dispute is only about money, Canadian Auto Workers Local 444 president Ken Lewenza said.

"They'll understand that workers that make $11.25 an hour are entitled to make decent wages and decent benefits, "Lewenza told the Windsor Star.

The walkout included 175 workers, but the TRW work stoppage quickly rippled over to the Chrysler assembly plant that employs 5,000 union workers in three shifts.

"There's no way to speculate on the future. The plant is down, at the moment," said Chrysler Canada spokesman Stuart Shorr.

"We're not building any vans right now," he said.

Canadian Autoworkers bargaining representative Mike Renaud said TRW "has not come to the pump in any fashion that anyone would call fair to these workers."

No negotiations were scheduled, the report said. But, "I've got my cell phone on," Lewenza said.