Wescast Industries announced Thursday that union employees at its machining plant in Strathroy, ON, initiated a strike that afternoon. The company did not elaborate on the nature of the dispute, but it described the action as a "legal strike."

Brantford, ON-based Wescast is the world’s largest producer of car and light-truck exhaust manifolds. It employs 286 at Strathroy, according to reports.

Earlier this year, workers at Wescast’s Wingham, ON, plant struck for four days.

Wescast said it had contingency plans in place to ensure customers receive without disruption.