General Dynamics cuts 28 temporary jobs in London
The defence giant says the layoffs are part of a 'normal business cycle'
General Dynamics Land Systems Canada laid off 28 temporary contract positions on Tuesday at London's Oxford Street plant.
Doug Wilson-Hodge, manager of corporate affairs at the plant, told CBC News that the layoffs are part of a "normal business cycle."
However, Jim Reid, president of Unifor Local 27, said he was disappointed to hear about the layoffs. He said the company owes the union and the community an explanation about the job losses.
"It's really tough for us to make a determination on what's happening because the employer isn't sharing a lot of the rationale for why they're making these decisions with us or the community," he said.
Most of the job losses on Tuesday were in engineering.
Reid fears more changes are on the horizon.
"I know things have been up and down and there's been some slowdown in production and there's some anticipated changes that are coming about … in staffing levels," he said.
"My heart goes out to the folks that have been affected … When people lose their jobs, it's a traumatic event," he added.
The U.S.-based company entered into a $15-billion Cdn deal as a supplier in 2014 to build light armoured vehicles for the Saudi Arabian government.