Toronto, Ontario – An auto parts facility in Ajax, Ontario that supplies to Chrysler, General Motors and Toyota will close almost two months earlier than initially expected, resulting in a blockade by its unionized workers.

Members of the Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW) Local 1090 working at BBI Enterprises set up the blockade when employees arrived at work on the morning of June 23 and were told to go home, said Local 1090 president Steve Batchelor.

BBI Enterprises announced the closure of its only Canadian facility on June 18, and told the union that it planned to wind down its operations over the course of six to eight weeks. Batchelor said that the company indicated that it did not have the necessary funds to keep operating. “This could potentially leave the 68 active and laid-off members at this plant with no pay for outstanding wages, including severance and termination,” he said. The union is in talks with the company regarding payment of money owed to the workers.