Ventra to shut down

MARGARETTA TWP. — Ventra Sandusky, also known as Ventra Plastics, announced it's shutting down today. And about 3,000 people, between hourly and salary employees, could get laid off in the coming days, one worker said. "Ford Motor Co., our primary customer, has made the decision to suspend their manufacturing operations in response to the (COVID-19) pandemic," a letter sent to employees states. "All hourly employees will be placed on leave at the completion of their shift on (today) March 19, 2020." But about 70 employees are being asked to work through the weekend and possibly next week, workers who contacted the Register said. "We are being forced to work despite a sanction requiring all affiliated UAW operations to shut down," one worker, a five-year employee at the plant, said. "We've got families and we should not have to have this happening." Another worker said the union, United Auto Workers Local 1216, was going along with the decision to extend work shifts through the weekend. A Register 2016 article reported the company employs about 1, "The union's not representing to us the way it should be," the employee, who's also been at Ventra, the Former Ford Motor Co. plant, on Tiffin Avenue, said. A message left for a union representative was not immediately returned. A call to the Local 1216 union president was not answered. A separate message left with the company's human resources office also was not immediately returned. Employees are receiving conflicting instructions regarding exactly when their last shift will be. "We're supposed to be making parts for a Chinese company," a third employee said. "That's why they want us to stay working. But, as far as I know, things are shut down in China. This doesn't make any sense, and people are fearful they might be exposed and take the virus home to their families."