Stellantis employees in Ontario, represented by Unifor, have overwhelmingly voted for a strike mandate with a 97% approval rating amid stalled collective bargaining talks. The voting took place over a two-day period during the weekend. These workers are based at facilities in Windsor, Toronto, and the currently inactive Brampton assembly plant.
Unifor represents more than 9,000 Stellantis workers across Canada and has emphasized that resorting to a strike is a last resort measure. James Stewart, the president of Unifor Local 444, expressed the unity and strength demonstrated by the workforce through the high vote percentage.
On the company’s side, Stellantis spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin stated their commitment to engaging in sincere negotiations for a mutually beneficial agreement that recognizes the employees’ contributions and ensures the long-term competitiveness of their Canadian operations. Unifor national president Lana Payne emphasized the collective determination to secure a fair deal that safeguards jobs for Canadian autoworkers.
The union clarified that they are not currently in a legal position to strike as neither Stellantis nor Unifor has requested a No Board report, a necessary step under labor laws for initiating job actions. A significant issue in the negotiations revolves around the uncertainty surrounding the Brampton plant, with Stellantis indicating plans to sell the facility to defense contractor Roshel. This move follows the layoff of over 2,000 workers in Brampton in 2023 and the subsequent relocation of Jeep Compass production to Illinois.
Unifor has raised concerns that the potential closure and sale of the Brampton plant could jeopardize workers’ compensation packages and have far-reaching implications for Ontario’s automotive industry and supply chain. Stellantis Canada’s president and CEO, Trevor Longley, underscored the company’s substantial investments exceeding $8 billion in its Canadian operations since 2022, highlighting Canada’s importance as a market.
In a positive development, a third shift was reinstated at the Windsor plant in February. The ongoing negotiations between Unifor and Stellantis will be crucial in determining the future outcomes for the workers and the automotive sector in Ontario.
