Workers at the Diageo whisky-bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ontario, have formally ratified a closure agreement with their employer, finalizing the end of their jobs this coming February. The deal, described by their union leader as a "hard pill to swallow," provides enhanced severance and transition support but marks the loss of what were considered stable, pensioned positions in the community.
Union Secures Enhanced Deal for Displaced Workers
Unifor Local 200 president John D’Agnolo confirmed to the Windsor Star that his members voted to accept the agreement on Sunday, November 30th. The union represents more than 160 workers at the plant, which bottles Crown Royal whisky. D’Agnolo expressed a mix of resignation and sorrow, stating the hope of reversing the corporate decision had faded. "Workers have an answer. It’s not the answer they want to hear," he said. "They have some money, but it’ll never replace these jobs."
The closure was first announced by alcohol giant Diageo in late August 2025. The company stated the move was part of an effort to increase the efficiency of its manufacturing footprint, with the work being relocated to the United States. With the existing collective agreement set to expire on December 2, the union had limited leverage but still negotiated improvements to the standard closure terms.
Details of the Closure Agreement and Support
The ratified agreement includes the foundational severance of two weeks' pay for every year of service, plus additional negotiated funds. Key provisions secured by Unifor Local 200 include extended benefits coverage and the creation of an action centre. This temporary service will offer resume support, job-hunting assistance, and educational resources for workers, many of whom have been with the plant for over two decades.
"Some have been at Diageo for over 20 years. They’ve never had to do a resume," D’Agnolo noted, emphasizing the need for transitional aid. Workers close to retirement were given the necessary credits to retire formally. At its peak, including temporary staff, the plant employed over 200 people. D’Agnolo estimates roughly 165 workers remain, with some having already left for other employment.
A Bitter End for a Local Employer
The remaining employees have the choice to continue working until the facility ceases operations at the end of February 2026. For the town of Amherstburg, the shutdown represents a significant economic blow. D’Agnolo reflected on the quality of the jobs being lost, highlighting the comprehensive pensions and benefits that will be difficult to replicate in the local job market.
"They were great jobs with pensions and benefits. Now, they have to look to the future, but they don’t know what that future is," he said. While acknowledging the union's success in securing a better-than-baseline deal, the prevailing sentiment is one of profound loss and uncertainty for the workforce and the community that relied on the plant for decades.
