CS Wind workers not sure when temporary layoff will end

Employees at CS Wind could be out of work for several months more than they anticipated.

A slowdown at the wind turbine manufacturing company has put about 200 employees out of work for the past six to eight weeks.

Their union expected most members to be back on the job by Sept. 6, but just a fraction of those will be recalled, according to Kevin Bryenton, president of Ontario Ironworkers District Council Local 721.

"We would obviously like it to happen without the shutdown, but given the nature of the business, they can't employ people without the orders," he told CBC News.

The company has been operating on a skeleton shift. Half of the laid off workers are expected to come back Sept. 6, but there is no indication when the rest will return.

"We're hoping they'll come back as soon as possible, but that's based on what the company has for orders," Bryenton said.