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Auto workers occupy Scarborough plant

Disgruntled auto workers have occupied a plant in Scarborough and say they won't leave until the company agrees to pay severance to 200 laid off workers.

Doors are barricaded and about 100 workers inside are preventing production at the Collins & Aikman plant, which is scheduled to close at the end of July.

Bob Chernecki, assistant to the Canadian Auto Workers' president, says the company has told them the U.S. operations are refusing to release the money for severance.

Collins & Aikman, which manufactures automotive floor and acoustic systems as well as cockpit modules, filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. in May, 2005.

Chernecki says there are a few hundred workers outside the plant as well.

He says the purpose of the occupation is to force the company into complying with a previous agreement to pay severance to the fired workers.

"They have absolutely every obligation, lawful and otherwise, including an agreement with us, our union – CAW, to pay that severance out."