Stellantis Workers in Canada Vote on Strike Mandate as Contract Talks Stall
Unifor, representing more than 9,000 Stellantis workers in Canada, is holding a strike authorization vote this weekend after the previous collective agreement expired on September 20 without a new deal. Negotiations have stalled over job security and the potential sale of the idled Brampton assembly plant to defence contractor Roshel.
More than 9,000 Stellantis workers in Canada represented by Unifor are voting this weekend on whether to authorize a strike as contract negotiations remain at an impasse. The union plans to announce the results of the strike authorization vote at the start of next week.
The previous collective agreement between Stellantis and Unifor expired on September 20 without a new tentative deal. Negotiations stalled after Stellantis signed a memorandum of understanding with defence contractor Roshel for a potential sale of the Brampton, Ont., plant on September 11.
The Brampton plant halted operations in 2023, resulting in more than 2,000 workers being laid off. Production of the Jeep Compass was moved to Illinois, leaving the facility idled indefinitely. Roshel CEO Roman Shimonov stated the company plans to establish a Canadian Centre of Excellence for Defence Manufacturing in Brampton involving more than 2,000 jobs.
Unifor national president Lana Payne wrote to federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly urging the government to block the potential sale of the Brampton plant. Prime Minister Mark Carney previously expressed disappointment to Stellantis' global head over moving Jeep Compass production to the United States.