Unifor Files Labour Board Complaint Over 200-Day Titan Tool Windsor Lockout
In a significant development, Unifor, the union representing locked-out workers at Titan Tool & Die in Windsor, has officially filed a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board. The union alleges that the company has engaged in bad-faith bargaining throughout the labor dispute, which recently surpassed 200 days. This move marks a critical escalation in the ongoing conflict that has gripped the local manufacturing sector.
Union Accuses Company of Harmful Practices
Emile Nabbout, president of Unifor Local 195, stated in a public announcement on Monday that the union has sent an official notice to Titan Tool & Die, charging the company with misconduct. "They haven't been forthcoming in their intention, and have engaged in bad-faith bargaining with our union since the beginning of bargaining in July 2025," Nabbout explained. He emphasized that the company's actions have been detrimental to workers, and the union is seeking intervention from the labor board to address these grievances.
Dispute Escalates Over Production Claims
The conflict intensified after Domenic Chimienti, CEO of Titan Tool & Die, sent a letter on February 12 indicating there were no plans to continue production at the Windsor facility. However, the union later reported observing truckloads of dies—custom-made metal tools used for cutting materials—being shipped to the plant. Unifor alleges that the company was using replacement workers to operate presses and produce products, contradicting the CEO's statement.
In response, locked-out workers took action last Thursday by blockading transport trucks they believed were arriving to pick up products for shipment. For much of the day, six transport trucks were left idle on Howard Avenue, unable to enter the property. According to the union, most truck drivers voluntarily left after members explained the labor dispute, highlighting the community's involvement in the standoff.
Company Denies Production Activities
In its first public statement since the lockout began last August, Titan Tool & Die asserted on Monday that no production was occurring at the plant during the lockout. The company allowed union members to enter and inspect the facility, following which they confirmed that no production activities were taking place. Nabbout noted, "There is no other activity going on and no production has been taking place. So, we believe, as a result of this, the company is now idling."
Additionally, Titan Tool & Die claimed that the union's recent actions, including the blockade, violated an existing court injunction that prohibits workers from interfering with vehicles entering or leaving the property. This legal dimension adds complexity to the dispute, which dates back to last March when the company attempted to move manufacturing equipment to a sister facility in Michigan, a move prompted by tariffs levied by then-U.S. president Donald Trump on Canadian products.
Broader Implications for Labor Relations
This case underscores ongoing tensions in labor-management relations within the manufacturing industry, particularly in regions like Windsor affected by economic policies and cross-border trade issues. As the complaint proceeds with the Ontario Labour Relations Board, stakeholders are closely watching for outcomes that could set precedents for future disputes involving bad-faith bargaining and worker rights in Canada.
