The industrial town of Windsor, Ont. is in the crosshairs of the trade war—and the workers at the Titan Tool and Die auto parts factory have shown a glimpse of how to fight it.
On March 31, just ahead of Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement of Apr. 2, the workers briefly blockaded the plant. They were responding to the bosses’ attempt to bring tools and dies across the border to Michigan. The workers understood that this was in preparation for moving production to the U.S. The bosses have already temporarily laid off 40 of the 65 factory workers for four to five months.
As a result of the blockade, the bosses agreed to unload the truck and discuss with the workers.
The president of Unifor local 195, who represents these workers, explained: “This isn’t just about this plant. If we let this happen, it’ll spread and it will be felt in other industries and stores, restaurants … we can’t let Trump destroy our community.”
In Windsor, estimates are that 4,300 jobs could disappear within a few weeks. The bosses care only about their profits, and will not hesitate to lay off workers, close factories, and move production. We can’t let them destroy communities.
Actions such as this blockade show a glimpse of the way forward, and need to become the norm across all workplaces. The trade unions must pledge to save jobs by organizing direct action: strikes, blockades, occupations. There is no other way to face the coming storm.
