Expansion for Michelin Nova Scotia Plant

A Canadian union leader has said that expansion plans for a Michelin plant on Canada’s east coast expose “the company’s long-term strategy to rid itself of unionised plants.” Michelin is to expand its non-unionised factory in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, with a provincial contribution of between $3 million and $8 million, a government source told the Canadian press. Dozens of jobs will be created according to reports.

“There’s over 1,000 wage workers here in Kitchener who worked their butts off for the company…unless someone takes them to task for this, there will be no unionised factories left in the Michelin chain,” commented Paul Shrum, local president of the United Steelworkers in Kitchener-Waterloo. About 1,100 people work at the Bridgewater factory, making steel cord and passenger light truck and SUV tyres.

In January, Michelin received $10.8 million in subsidies from Nova Scotia to help it upgrade its plant in Waterville, Nova Scotia. Since 1969, Michelin has invested more than $1.3 billion in the three Nova Scotia plants, reports Canadian Press.