‘It’s thousands of jobs and it’s worth the fight’: CAMI workers talk tough as three-day rally begins

Workers affected by the discontinuation of the BrightDrop vehicle are holding a multi-day rally outside Ingersoll’s CAMI plant. CTV’s Sean Irvine explains.

Idled GM Cami workers have begun a three-day information rally directly in front of their shuttered plant.

Meanwhile, GM Canada’s president is urging patience as the future of the facility remains in limbo as 1,200 unionized jobs hang in the balance.

The rally – directly in front of the CAMI plant - was organized just a week after General Motors announced it was pulling the plug on the BrightDrop EV delivery van produced there.

“It is just to let GM, and the governments know that we’re still here. We’re still kicking in that, we need a vehicle, and we’re not going away quietly,” explained Mike Van Boekel, the plant chair of Unifor Local 88.

Over the last decade, CAMI workers have been hit hard by the ups and downs of the auto industry. From periods of mandatory overtime to a long strike.

But the outright cancellation of their key product is still sinking in.

“This came as a shock!” said Craig Law, a 20-year employee.

His thoughts were echoed by Todd Sleeper, “It’s been really hard to say positive. And then now this is pulled out from underneath us.”

Sleeper, a 13-year employee, transferred to CAMI from London after the Electro-Motive Diesel Plant closed. He fears he might be about to relive that experience.

As food trucks and music kept the rally positive, other workers expressed anxiety.

“You can’t plan your future at all. And it’s tough, like we said, it’s day by day. We just hope for good news,” said Brooke Strub.

As union members continue to fight for the future, Van Boekel has made a firm statement to GM about the present: Don’t touch any machinery inside the plant.

“We let them know if they move any equipment out whatsoever, we’ll be taking the plant over. So far, it’s been a week, and nothing has left the plant. They’ve asked for a few parts, and we’ve said no,” he said.

The union pledge came moments before the president of GM Canada issued a statement reiterating that CAMI is being assessed for future opportunities. GM is also calling on its employees to work with them and give them time to determine the path forward, with the cooperation of the provincial and federal governments.

The union says it is willing to do just that.

But the fear of permanent padlocks on the gates lingers according to Van Boekel.

“Yeah, 100 per cent. I do think they could, but I think it’d be very shortsighted of them,” said Van Boekel. “Trump is in power for four years. So, who knows what the next government will do? But we want everyone to know very clearly that we’re not going anywhere!”

Strub joined the commitment to keep up the fight while firmly believing padlocks will never appear.

“I don’t think it is going to happen. I think, wait, no, I truly believe that we will get through this, and we will get another vehicle,” she said.

Van Boekel told CTV News retooling the CAMI plant could take up to 18 months.