CAW President Buzz Hargrove said the shift loss is further proof that the federal government must stop ignoring the auto sector and move to develop an automotive strategy to stop any more jobs from being lost. The Harper government’s inaction in the face of one-way trade and growing challenges from the U.S. economy is quickly dismantling one of the country’s most important industries, he said.

CAW Local 222 President Chris Buckley called the deep cut another dark day for Oshawa and the most productive workers in the auto industry. The shift loss will also have a ripple effect for parts producers across the Durham region and elsewhere.

GM cited a slowing U.S. economy and rising gas prices for the reason for the job cut. Workers in the Oshawa truck plant produce the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra.