The management of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel at the Michigan/Ontario border locked union employees out of their jobs at noon Wednesday, but officials say the tunnel will remain open.

U.S. employees who are members of ATU Local 1564 on the U.S. side of the tunnel were locked out after voting to reject an employment offer that would have cut by by 3.5 percent. The contract expired Nov. 30. Officials say union members will not be allowed back on the job until an agreement is reached.
Supervisory employees will operate the U.S. side of the tunnel, while the Canadian side will continue to be open and operated by members of Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 195, whose contract is in effect through January 31, 2003.
Detroit & Canada Tunnel Corp. management said the tunnel has suffered significant reduction in traffic volumes and in toll revenues while its operating expenses continue to increase.
The tunnel is owned jointly by the cities of Detroit and Windsor, and operated by the Detroit & Canada Tunnel Corp.