GM Canada Workers assemble masks using ultrasonic welding stations, which bind the ear strings to the material.
The Government of Canada today contracted General Motors of Canada to provide 10 million face masks over the next year with production to begin immediately. GM Canada will manufacture the face masks at cost at its Oshawa Operations for the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Canada received its Medical Device Establishment License on April 22 and the company built and installed the mask making machinery, sourced materials and trained its workers in approximately one month.
“Unifor members in Oshawa are highly skilled and proud to help GM make whatever our country needs to get through this pandemic,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
GM Canada has implemented a series of safety measures to protect team members through pre-entry health screening, physical distancing, and enhanced on-site cleaning. For more information on GM Canada’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, please visit gm.ca.
“This is one of the proudest moments in our history to be able to step-up and support all Canadians during this challenging time. With the support and collaboration of the Government of Canada, we will start production in Oshawa today and deliver 10 million face masks to the Public Health Agency of Canada over the next year,” said Scott Bell, GM Canada president.
GM plans to manufacture approximately one million masks per month at cost for the Canadian government with an estimate of 50 employees supporting two shifts of production. The project still requires completion of additional work with governments and Unifor partners. GM will provide updates as it gets ready to begin production.
This is a good repurposing. How many of the laid off workers are being recalled for this?