Layoff notices have gone out to 300 workers at the Nemak Essex Aluminum Plant in Windsor, Ont., that supplies the engine plant of Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. The cuts take effect Feb. 9, 2009, and will affect employees with less than 14 years of seniority. Nemak Aluminum is a joint venture between Ford of Canada and Nemak. Mark Renaud of Local 200 of the Canadian Auto Workers union says the layoffs were expected because the plant is scheduled close at the end of March. Also announced yesterday, Timken Canada, which produces tapered roller bearings for passenger cars, said it has laid off 48 workers from its St. Thomas, Ont., plant, which has about 300 workers.