Ford to close Canadian plant

ST. THOMAS, Ontario, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Ford Motor Co. will close one of its Canadian assembly plants, wiping out 1,500 jobs there, union officials say.

The Canadian Auto Workers union conceded Friday it had little leverage to stop the closure of the St. Thomas, Ontario, plant -- which makes now-unpopular full-size cars, The Toronto Star reported.

CAW President Ken Lewenza also told the Star Ford has demanded pay cuts from workers or it would stop making new investments in its Oakville and Windsor, Ontario, plants.

Lewenza said the St. Thomas plant closure was part of a tentative three-year deal for concessions. He added the CAW would keep advocating for new models and expressed hopes that demand may still pick up, but the Star reported he wasn't optimistic.

About 7,000 Canadian workers were to vote this weekend on the deal, which reportedly freezes wages and cost-of-living allowances, reduces holiday time and demands higher payments for benefits.