Some workers at Stellantis’ Brampton assembly plant are contemplating relocating to Windsor, Ontario, following the company’s recent announcement that it will be moving production of its Jeep Compass model to Illinois instead of Brampton. As a third shift is set to return to Stellantis’ Windsor plant in early 2026, Brampton’s unionized employees have the opportunity to transfer to fill that shift. Chris Vicars, a long-time Brampton plant worker, made the tough decision to move to Windsor after discussions with family and friends, opting to spend weekends in Brampton while residing in Windsor during the week.
Vicars, who has been with the Brampton plant since 2005, expressed concerns about losing out on his pension if he didn’t make the move. He mentioned that while it was a difficult choice, he didn’t want to miss out on nine years of his life, especially with his daughters who were emotional about the decision. Vicars plans to reside with family in Windsor during the week to save on living expenses.
Before the temporary shutdown in early 2024 for retooling, the Brampton Stellantis plant employed around 3,000 individuals. The retooling was aimed at accommodating the production of the new Jeep Compass model but was halted in February due to U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles. Vicars expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency from the company, which has led to frustration among employees.
The ability for Brampton workers to transfer to Windsor and vice versa is part of the collective agreement between Stellantis and Unifor, the union representing Canadian Stellantis employees. James Stewart, president of Unifor local 444, noted that while roughly 2,500 Brampton employees are eligible for transfer, not all are expected to make the move. The company’s recent $13 billion investment announcement for its U.S. operations confirmed the return of a third shift in Windsor to produce Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Charger Scatpack, and R/T models.
Despite the option to transfer, the president of the local union representing Stellantis’ Brampton workers criticized the company’s communication practices as “disgusting behavior.” Vito Beato emphasized the need for a commitment to Brampton and product development rather than transfers to Windsor. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly stated that the Canadian government would explore legal options to ensure Stellantis fulfills its obligations to its Canadian workforce, following the company’s decision to shift production away from Brampton.
Vicars, while acknowledging the company’s promise of future plans for Brampton, remains skeptical, emphasizing the importance of actions over words. He expressed willingness to transfer back to Brampton despite losing plant seniority, highlighting the strong bond with his family.