The labor union representing more than 6,000 employees at Stellantis’ Windsor Assembly facility is gearing up for collective bargaining talks with the company scheduled to commence on Tuesday. Stellantis is the final of the Big 3 automakers to engage in negotiations with Unifor.
The formal negotiations are slated to start at 11:00 a.m., as announced in a video message shared on social media by Unifor Local 444 President James Stewart. Despite the current collective agreement expiring on September 20 at midnight, Stewart expressed the negotiators’ determination to reach a new agreement promptly, aiming to conclude discussions before the Windsor Assembly Plant’s two-week shutdown at the end of September.
“We’re going to work straight through Labor Day, without returning home, to continue bargaining and strive to meet an internal deadline of September 11,” Stewart stated. The discussions occur against a challenging backdrop for Windsor’s automotive sector, grappling with hefty U.S. tariffs on vehicle and part exports to the United States. President Donald Trump has threatened to raise these tariffs to 50 percent effective January 1.
Recently, General Motors union members voted to ratify a fresh deal on Sunday, featuring wage hikes for production and skilled trades personnel, a $10,000 productivity bonus, and the renewal of a cost-of-living allowance. Ford union members also ratified a new agreement with the company in July, encompassing wage increases, a renewed cost-of-living allowance, and planned investments in Canadian manufacturing.
A key focus for the union in negotiations with Stellantis is securing future production allocations for both the Windsor Assembly Plant and the dormant Brampton facility. Unifor revealed that about 2,200 Brampton workers are currently laid off, with Stellantis contemplating selling the plant—a move Unifor National President Lana Payne labeled a severe blow to Canada’s automotive industry.
Acknowledging the trade pressure from the Trump administration, Stewart emphasized the challenges faced by negotiators in his video message. “We are in the fight for our lives,” Stewart stressed, highlighting the U.S. administration’s expressed reluctance towards supporting the Canadian auto industry. Despite the adversities, he affirmed the union’s unwavering commitment to the cause.
