Several major home improvement stores across Windsor have been out of salt for a couple of days, making many residents frustrated with slick conditions outside.
Employees at Home Hardware on Tecumseh Road West says bags have been flying off the shelves since the New Year leaving all locations across the city on empty. The next earliest salt shipment isn’t expected until Thursday, when 20kgs will be delivered.
The news come as another snow storm sets its sights on Windsor-Essex.
While retailers are feeling the pinch, the City of Windsor says there’s no shortage of salt for the municipality.
"We have a secure contract with Windsor Salt and they've been filling our dome in a regular basis," says maintenance manager, Pete Matheson.
At the same time, salt shipments are on the rise according to Windsor Port Authority. Approximately 20,000 tons have been shipped in the past month.
A spokesperson from Morton Salt, which operates the Windsor Salt mine, says the demand for road salt has surged for their customers across the continent.
Denise Lauer says high demand can delay deliveries. “We are taking a number of steps to fulfill customer orders as soon as possible, including closely monitoring winter weather forecasts.”
Lauer says employees are working overtime.
Meanwhile Lauer says contract negotiations are underway at the Windsor operation with union representatives in hopes of reaching a tentative agreement before the end of the month.
