For 35 years, Mike Van Boekel has been the steady voice guiding CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario, through triumphs and trials. As the longtime chairperson of Unifor Local 88 retires, he recalls a moment that defined both his career and the plant itself, a moment that still stings more than a decade later.
“The biggest pivotal point was when GM sent Terrain production to Mexico,” Van Boekel said. “We pleaded with the government and GM, but they still moved it. Once the Terrain moved, Equinox was vulnerable. We were working six days a week, 24 hours a day. We won every quality award. They gave us its launch, and we hit a grand slam. We gave it everything we had and they still moved it. It ripped us apart.”
That move was seismic for CAMI. The plant, once humming with three shifts and 2,800 workers, suddenly found itself exposed. Workers had poured every ounce of effort into producing the Chevrolet Equinox, which GM entrusted to CAMI for its North American launch.
Van Boekel and his team had delivered not just vehicles, but quality, speed, and dedication that earned national recognition. The launch was a resounding operational success. Yet, in the corporate calculus of global production, local victories were no guarantee of job security.
This story is based on an in-depth interview conducted by Driving, drawing directly from the reflections of longtime Unifor Local 88 chair Mike Van Boekel. His comments, originally shared with the Driving team, form the foundation of the reporting and perspective presented in this article.
A “Grand Slam” That Still Led to Heartbreak
Van Boekel recalls the exhaustion and frustration vividly. “We were giving it everything we had,” he said. “Six days a week, round the clock. We were hitting every target. And yet, when GM made the call, it didn’t matter. It ripped us apart.”
For the workforce, the decision ruptured morale and trust. Employees who had dedicated their lives to the plant felt the ground shift beneath them, a stark reminder of how global automakers balance efficiency with human cost.
Despite the setback, Van Boekel’s tenure was marked by resilience. He steered the union and its members through strikes, layoffs, and new product launches, always emphasizing the plant’s potential and community ties.
CAMI had long been a pillar of the local economy, with the plant contributing generously to United Way and other community charities. At its peak, hundreds of student apprentices trained alongside seasoned workers, reinforcing a culture of craftsmanship and continuity.
Yet the memory of the Terrain’s relocation remains central to Van Boekel’s reflection on his career. It symbolizes both the vulnerability of Canadian manufacturing and the relentless dedication of the CAMI workforce. “We gave it our all,” he said. “And yet, we couldn’t change the corporate decision. That moment taught me about perseverance, about the limits of influence, and about how much heart the people here put into their work.”
A Legacy of Resilience and an Uncertain Future
Now, as Van Boekel steps away from the plant, CAMI faces another uncertain chapter. The BrightDrop electric delivery van project has failed to gain traction, leaving roughly 1,100 workers laid off. Even so, Van Boekel remains hopeful that the plant can recover and thrive with new production.
He envisions a future where CAMI may once again host launches and innovations, potentially through joint ventures or partnerships with international automakers.
Reflecting on his decades of service, Van Boekel also acknowledges the personal sacrifices he made. Working long shifts while maintaining his family’s farm demanded resilience, discipline, and a passion for both industry and land.
Yet, in his eyes, the lesson of the Terrain’s departure—how much can be achieved and yet so easily taken away—shapes the legacy he leaves behind.
For CAMI, that pivotal moment presented a benchmark for what the workforce can achieve, and a reminder that even in the most dedicated hands, production decisions are ultimately in the hands of global corporate strategy. And for Van Boekel, it is the memory that will linger longest, even as he finally walks away from the plant floor.
Sources: Driving