Roughly 200 workers on strike at Chatham, Ont., aluminum parts maker

Approximately 200 employees at Dajcor Aluminum in Chatham, Ont., are on strike, according to the union.

Unifor members walked off the job Thursday at 12:01 a.m., after the union says it learned the company was planning to remove equipment from the factory and bring in "scab labour."

"This is a clear case of escalation that calls for action," said Unifor National President Lana Payne in a statement.

"Our members have every right to defend their jobs, their plant, and their community from these deceitful tactics."

Unifor Local 127 President Jeff McFadden says their collective agreement ended July 27 and they came into a legal strike position overnight.

"The strike is necessary to protect the integrity of our work and the future of this facility," he said.

"Our members work hard and take great pride in producing high-quality parts."

The Irwin Street facility, in the southwestern Ontario city, makes aluminum products for the automotive, office space and medical equipment sectors.

According to its website, since 2010, Dajcor's large Chatham factory has supplied Canadian and U.S. clients with extruded, fabricated, and anodized aluminum components. 

Unifor says Dajcor has received roughly $3.5 million in government money.

The company also has a U.S. facility in Kentucky.

CBC News has reached out to Dajcor Aluminum for comment.