Stellantis employees in Ontario, represented by Unifor, have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike mandate, reaching a 97% approval rate due to stalled collective bargaining negotiations. The voting process spanned two days over the weekend, with workers based at facilities in Windsor, Toronto, and the idle Brampton assembly plant.
Unifor has emphasized that resorting to a strike remains a last resort option. James Stewart, the president of Unifor Local 444, remarked that the exceptional support for the strike mandate across Stellantis workplaces conveys a resounding message of unity and strength, providing them with the necessary tools to move forward.
Responding to CBC News, Stellantis expressed its dedication to engaging in genuine negotiations and expressed readiness to continue discussions for a mutually beneficial agreement that acknowledges the workforce’s contributions while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of its Canadian operations, as stated by spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin.
Unifor national president Lana Payne highlighted the unified determination of members to secure a “fair agreement” with Stellantis that safeguards jobs for Canadian autoworkers. The union clarified that they are not currently in a legal strike position, as neither party has requested a No Board report, a crucial step mandated by labor law for initiating job action.
A significant issue revolves around the uncertainty surrounding the Brampton factory, with Stellantis announcing plans to sell the property to defense contractor Roshel. Following the layoff of over 2,000 workers in Brampton in 2023 and the relocation of production for the Jeep Compass to Illinois, concerns have been raised about the potential repercussions on workers’ wages, pensions, benefits, and the broader automotive sector and supply chain in Ontario.
Stellantis Canada’s president and CEO, Trevor Longley, reiterated the company’s commitment to the Canadian market, highlighting investments exceeding $8 billion in its Canadian operations since 2022. Notably, in Windsor, a third shift was reinstated in February to bolster operations.