To meet increasing demand for Sterling heavy- and medium-duty trucks, Freightliner LLC today announced plans to increase production and add approximately 300 full-time employees at the St. Thomas, Ontario, truck manufacturing plant.
The new employees will work a three-day weekend shift, Friday through Sunday. The company intends to begin hiring for the new positions immediately.
"Freightliner LLC is very pleased to have finalized discussions with the Canadian Auto Workers' Union in creating a unique shift schedule for these new jobs at the St. Thomas truck manufacturing plant," said Rainer E. Schmueckle, president and CEO, Freightliner LLC.
"After three very challenging years, the North American heavy-duty truck market is recovering and we have a positive outlook for continuing improvement. We're also very upbeat about the Sterling brand, which has increased sales and market share in North America. By increasing plant capacity and employment, we are responding to the growing customer demand for Sterling trucks."
The St. Thomas plant currently employs 1,200 people and operates two full production shifts with the day shift working Monday through Friday and the evening shift working a 4x10 schedule. The facility's production, maintenance, quality assurance and material handling employees are represented by the Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW).