Crown Royal maker, union reach deal over Ontario plant closure

The company behind Crown Royal has reached a deal with the union representing workers at its soon-to-be shuttered Ontario plant over its closure.

British distiller Diageo announced in August it was shuttering its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., and that bottling at the factory intended for the U.S. market would be shifting stateside, while bottling for Canadian consumers would move to its Valleyfield, Que., location.

The plant is scheduled to close in February 2026, affecting 168 unionized employees and potentially impacting the local economy.

Diageo has said the decision to close the facility is unrelated to tariffs from United States President Donald Trump, adding it made similar decisions in the United States, Italy and Scotland.

Global News was told the agreement includes severance and separation enhancement payments based on seniority, benefit continuation beyond closure and investments in Unifor’s action centre for re-training. It was approved by 89 per cent of Unifor Local 200 members.

Story continues below advertisement

Unifor said in a statement its members have the option to leave their positions immediately or remain until the plant closes in February.

“We fought hard to keep the jobs here,” said Unifor President Lana Payne.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“This is not the outcome we wanted, but in the end, we acted to secure the best possible outcome for our members while they still had the protection of their collective agreement.”

1:34 Ford renews threat to pull Crown Royal and Smirnoff from LCBO amid production spat

A week after Diageo announced the closure, Ontario Premier Doug Ford — in a viral moment of protest — poured out an entire bottle of Crown Royal at a news conference to signal his displeasure and bashed the company’s move as ill-conceived.

Earlier this month, Ford escalated his fight with Diageo, threatening to “leverage” the purchasing power of the LCBO and pull Crown Royal and Smirnoff vodka — another Diageo product — off store shelves.

Story continues below advertisement

Ford pointed to the $765 million the LCBO spends on Diageo’s products and complained that the company executives behind the decision who decided to target their “largest customer in North America” have “half a brain.”

Trending Now

• ‘Home Improvement’ star Zachery Ty Bryan arrested for 2nd time this year
• A Canadian border officer was the victim of India’s ‘propaganda machine.’ Now he’s suing

Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue told councillors in October that Ford has said there are three companies interested in taking over Diageo’s plant.

A Diageo spokesperson previously told Global News it hasn’t been approached for a takeover, but would “engage” in talks after it reached a deal with the union.

1:05 LeBlanc ‘really enjoyed’ watching Ford pour out bottle of Crown Royal

John D’Agnolo, president of Unifor Local 200, said in Tuesday’s statement the local will continue to work with Amherstburg and the provincial government to attract a new employer to the facility.

“We’re not giving up on these workers or this community,” D’Agnolo said.

Story continues below advertisement

“Our goal now is to bring new investment into Amherstburg and ensure these skilled workers have access to good, stable jobs for the long term.”

— With files from Global News’ Isaac Callan, Gabby Rodrigues and Colin D’Mello

More on Toronto More videos

• 32-year-old Ontario man gunned down in car, police search for suspect
• Ontario forced to slow new medical school plans after ignoring warnings
• Ontario may need to throw out millions of dollars in PPE: auditor general
• Ford government sets spending record for commercials ‘promoting’ governing party

• “We’ll fight for these jobs”: Joly responds as Algoma Steel announces plans to lay off 1,000 workers
• Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation hopes to include more First Nations in upcoming pipeline discussions
• Winnipeg opening meth detox facility
• Danielle Smith navigating difficult political waters within Alberta