Stellantis employees in Ontario, represented by Unifor, have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike mandate with a 97% approval rate due to ongoing challenges in collective bargaining talks. The voting process took place over a two-day period during the weekend. These workers are based in Windsor, Toronto, and the currently inactive Brampton assembly plant.
Unifor is the union representing more than 9,000 Stellantis workers in Canada. While emphasizing that a strike is a last resort, the union highlighted the strong unity and determination among members, as evidenced by the high mandate vote.
Stellantis, in response to inquiries from CBC News, reiterated its commitment to engaging in fair negotiations and reaching a mutually beneficial agreement that acknowledges the employees’ contributions and ensures the long-term competitiveness of its Canadian operations. Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, emphasized the collective goal of securing a fair deal that safeguards jobs for Canadian autoworkers.
The union clarified that they are currently not in a legal position to strike as neither Stellantis nor Unifor has initiated the necessary No Board report required for labor action under legal guidelines. A significant concern revolves around the future of the Brampton facility, particularly following Stellantis’ announcement of plans to sell the property to Roshel, a defense contractor. The uncertainty surrounding Brampton has been a focal point, especially considering the previous layoffs at the site and the relocation of Jeep Compass production to Illinois.
Unifor has expressed apprehension that the potential closure and sale of the Brampton plant could jeopardize worker compensation, pensions, benefits, and have broader repercussions on Ontario’s automotive industry and supply chain. Stellantis Canada’s President and CEO, Trevor Longley, reiterated the company’s commitment to the Canadian market, citing investments exceeding $8 billion in its Canadian operations since 2022.
In a positive development, a third shift was reinstated in Windsor in February, signaling some stability within the company’s operations.
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