Windsor Assembly Plant auto workers relieved, excited about recent Stellantis investments

Recent investments into Canada's auto sector by Stellantishave nationwide implications, but for front-line assembly workers who have been through the ups and downs of the industry the news is much more personal.

"It puts a lot of people at ease," said Brett Hedges, 33, who has been working at the plant for the last decade.

"For the last six, seven years we didn't know what was going to happen at this plant, so for all of us here it's a good day and we're all breathing a little easier cause we know we make really good stuff here."

A handful of other workers who spoke with CBC News outside of the Windsor Assembly Plant Wednesday said the recent announcements have had a positiveimpact on those in the plant.

Earlier this week, Stellantis announced a $3.6-billioninvestmentto upgradeits Windsor and Brampton assembly plants, along with new research and development centres. The retooling and modernization is expected to begin in 2023.

WATCH: Workers reflect on recent auto investments

Here's what the latest Stellantis news means for Windsor Assembly Plant workers

2 years ago

Duration 0:22

Brenda Lucier and Gerry Andrade talk about the impact of recent Stellantis investments on workers and Windsor.

This came on the heels of a historic announcement in March, where the automaker, along with LG Energy Solution, announced a $4.9-billion electric vehicle battery plant that would bring about 2,500 new jobs.

"It shows some stability and security to the area and to the feeder plants as well, more jobs there as well, so good all the way around," said Gerry Andrade, who has worked at the plant for 24 years.

The upgrades to the Windsor Assembly Plant also came with news that two shifts would remain in place until the end of the year and the third shift, which ended in July 2020, will likely make a return.

Stellantis did not say when the shift would return.

The termination of theshift affected 1,500 workers, with more than 700 given buyouts at the time.

Plant worker Brenda Lucier said she was directly impacted by the third shift cuts and just made the cutoff for the 2nd shift.

"It's really exciting that the third shift is going to come and it's just more opportunities, better jobs and more stability," she said.

WATCH: Welzeltalks about the third shift

Former third shift worker talks about what it was like losing the shift

2 years ago

Duration 1:15

Austin Welzel was laid off from the plant's third shift. He now works for the autoworker union, Unifor Local 444.

"I never thought that they would put out that much money, it's a lot, it means so much for Windsor."

Austin Welzel was also laid off from the third shift, but has since been hired by the autoworkers' union, Unifor Local 444.

"Nobody really knew what was going to happen, what they were going to do ... it was scary at first right because we rely on the factory," he said.

According to Welzel, who said he still keeps in touch with colleagues that were laid off, people are "super excited" to get back to working at the plant.

He said he trusts that the company will deliver on what it has promised to workers and believes that a new vehicle will soon make it's way to the plant.

Despite the good news, Welzel said he anticipates it will be a few years until people get called back based on the timeline of the retooling.

"Don't lose hope," he said to those laid off.

"When everything is set and done, it's going to be awesome."