A Tillsonburg manufacturing plant opened under a cloud of uncertainty five years ago and now workers’ futures there are uncertain.
Employees at the Siemens Canada wind turbine plant have been showing up for work only to be turned away. They have been getting a letter saying they'll be paid but they can go home.
Plant management has been called to an all-staff meeting at the Tillsonburg Community Centre on Tuesday.
A small group of evening shift workers were gathered in the Siemens parking lot Monday.
Employees admit they don't know for sure what's happening with the operation, but say they've seen the writing on the wall for some time now.
They say the province has put a hold on green energy contracts and protectionist measures in the U.S. have meant the turbines have nowhere to go.
Dianna Van Hooren of Unifor Local 1859 says the latest developments are a blow to the workers.
“They were told they would have work probably until 2020. That there were contracts in the works until 2020. You build your life around that.”
While Siemens is a non-union shop, Van Hooren says it was important to come out and show support.
"An injury to one worker is an injury to all of us,” she said.
