Ford plant to shut down.

St. Thomas Ford workers are getting an unexpected week off work as the assembly plant ran short of engines for its cars.
The plant will be shut down Monday to Friday this week and its more than 1,200 workers laid off.
“They only have about 2,500 engines right now and they are sending them to other plants,” said Scott Smith, chairperson of the Canadian Auto Workers union, Local 27, at the plant.
“This is a company-wide issue. Several other plants are impacted, too. It is out of our control and has nothing to do with what is going on in St. Thomas.”
To make up for lost production employees have to work two overtime hours, 10-hour shifts, for several weeks beginning April 4.
Ford has experienced a problem with its supplier ordering the correct parts for engine production, stalling production of the motors and creating a backlog, added Smith.
The plant — it makes Ford Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car vehicles — is slated to close Sept. 16.
The union is also canvassing the Ford assembly plant in Oakville, as well as parts depots in Bramalea and Edmonton, to see if laid-off workers can land there after the St. Thomas plant closes for good.
“It is another option we are looking at offering our workers. It is the only thing we can do, really, in a closure,” said Smith.