Unifor plans to conduct strike votes later this month amidst stalled contract discussions with Stellantis regarding the fate of the company’s Canadian facilities. The union disclosed on Tuesday that voting will take place on October 17 and 18, with results anticipated on October 19.
Although a strike authorization does not automatically trigger a work stoppage, it empowers the bargaining committee to initiate a strike if deemed necessary. Unifor’s national president Lana Payne, along with Stellantis Master Bargaining Committee chair James Stewart and vice-chair Vito Beato, expressed their desire to secure a tentative agreement without resorting to a strike vote, similar to previous successful negotiations with Ford and General Motors earlier this year.
However, ongoing negotiations are deadlocked due to various significant issues beyond just the future of the Brampton Assembly Plant, according to the union’s statement. The unresolved matters encompass the overall job security of union members and the future of Stellantis operations throughout Canada.
The status of the Brampton Assembly Plant remains a focal point in the talks. The plant has been inactive since 2023 and was initially slated for Jeep production. Unifor alleges that Stellantis reneged on its commitment to invest in Jeep production last year, citing reasons such as U.S. tariffs. Subsequently, the company mentioned exploring new vehicle programs at the facility before indicating in August its serious contemplation of closing and selling the plant to a third party. Stellantis has since entered a memorandum of understanding with defense industry supplier Roshel, expressing interest in acquiring the plant, a proposition rejected by Unifor, which insists on a satisfactory resolution for its Local 1285 members at Brampton.
Unifor also expressed concerns about the future of Stellantis operations at the Windsor Assembly Plant and Etobicoke Casting Plant. Following ten days of intense bargaining in Toronto in September, Unifor declared a deadlock in discussions, citing Stellantis’ undisclosed plans for Windsor and Etobicoke as a major point of contention. Another sticking point is Stellantis’ conditional acceptance of Unifor’s economic pattern agreement, linking it to the potential closure of the Brampton facility.
While emphasizing that strike action is a last resort, Unifor asserts the importance of the ability to strike in facilitating a settlement through collective bargaining. The union argues that shuttering and selling the Brampton plant would jeopardize workers’ financial well-being, pensions, benefits, and have broader ramifications on Ontario’s automotive industry and supply chain.
Previously, Stellantis Canada president and CEO Trevor Longley emphasized Canada’s significance as a market and the company’s investments exceeding $8 billion across its Canadian ventures since 2022. Stellantis underscored its commitment to bolstering its manufacturing presence and advancing battery technology in Ontario.
