Chrysler to keep 3rd shift at Windsor, continue building VW Routan

In a change of heart that will save over a thousand Canadian jobs, Chrysler has reversed its decision to eliminate the third shift at the Windsor minivan plant.

“It’s great news for 1,200 CAW Local 444 members out at the Chrysler plant and obviously the spinoff jobs that come with it,” Canadian Auto Workers President Ken Lewenza said Friday. “Obviously, it’s a strong message from Chrysler that they plan to maintain their market share lead in the minivan segment.”

In April, Chrysler and the CAW agreed to a new pact that brings labor costs in line with those of transplant automakers like Honda and Toyota.

Chrysler will also continue to build the Routan minivan for Volkswagen. Many had thought the Routan would be dropped due to sluggish sales, but numbers have risen in the past couple of months and Volkswagen says the Routan is now meeting its sales goals.