Third shift returns at WAP, union leaders remain hopeful for stability

The third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant officially started back up on Tuesday. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco reports.

The return of the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant (WAP) is being welcomed by many. It began again on Monday night.

“Worked 26 years. 20 years on midnights. Had to go swing shift for a few years. It really changes things and today’s my first night back. I’m happy,” Shelley Girard told CTV News following her overnight shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant.

The third shift was dropped in 2020 along with about 1,500 jobs. Stellantis announced the return of the shift last year and more than 1,700 new jobs, bringing the workforce at the plant to 6,000.

There were a lot of young faces in the crowd leaving the plant Tuesday morning.

“My dad keeps on saying it’s like I won the lottery,” Georgia Leblanc said. The 19-year-old headed to school after her shift.

“It’s a little bit to juggle but I think I can do it.”

Branden Hartley is thankful work is accommodating to his school schedule.

“They’re not too stingy. Oh, you got school? If you have a test, you let them know and okay, we’ll let you have time off. You work when you need to work. It’s good pay as well,” he said.

The jobs can be a life changer.

“People are going to be buying houses, cars. It really stimulates the economy back in Windsor. This is what we needed,” Girard said.

The third shift returns at the feeder plants simultaneously, some recalling laid off workers and others hiring new employees.

“Windsor’s being the highest unemployment rate, hopefully we go below that record and people will be able to generate more money and spend in the community, not only in the automotive sector, but across all sectors,” said Emile Nabbout, president of Unifor Local 195.

James Stewart shares in the excitement of the third shift but is also aware of the challenges that are ahead.

“This is and exciting time for Windsor,” Stewart said.

“Long term we have some challenges that we have to make sure we keep working with. That’s part of why we met with the minister (of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu), to make sure she hears our voice on manufacturing and the importance of making sure we have a good agreement with the U.S. moving forward.”

One minor inconvenience connected to the third shirt affects the morning shift. Parking is now a premium.

“Ah man, today, finding parking was crazy,” Josh Willis admitted.

“I actually got here about 25 minutes ago and honestly, driving around I got a parking spot I don’t think I’ll get a ticket in.”

Willis and others are taking the change in stride.

“I’m pumped to go see all my co-workers. A lot of them changed to midnights so I’m going to go see them now and tag one of them out,” said Willis.