news Chrysler to reopen Windsor plant after parts dispute

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Chrysler to reopen Windsor plant after parts dispute


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TORONTO (Reuters) - Chrysler Canada's minivan assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, which employs about 4,900 people, will reopen at midnight after a parts shortage forced its closure on April 1, the company said on Monday.



On April 2, the company idled a second plant, in Brampton, Ontario, sidelining about 3,100 workers, due to the same issue.


"We are waiting to confirm with Brampton, but Windsor is confirmed," said Chrysler spokeswoman Mary Gauthier. "They are going back starting with the midnight shift tonight."


The parts disruption came after dispute between Chrysler and Transcast Precision Inc, which supplies die-cast aluminum brackets for engines and transmissions.


Chrysler said it wanted to remove its tooling and parts from a Transcast plant in Wallaceburg, Ontario, and move it to the Chrysler plant on the westside of Toronto.


Chrysler said on Friday it had been "taken by surprise" when it found its tooling and parts were no longer at the supplier's plant.


Transcast said in an Ontario court that it had moved parts and Chrysler's tools to at least six different locations in Ontario.


Gauthier said on Monday Chrysler had located almost all its parts.


The Brampton plant makes Dodge Challengers and Chargers, as well as the company's 300 series.


(Reporting by John McCrank; editing by Peter Galloway)