Stellantis employees in Ontario, represented by Unifor, have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike mandate, with 97% supporting the move due to stalled collective bargaining negotiations. The voting process took place over the weekend, with workers located at facilities in Windsor, Toronto, and the dormant Brampton assembly plant.
Unifor emphasized that a strike action would only be considered as a last resort. James Stewart, president of Unifor Local 444, expressed the unity and strength exhibited by the workforce through the resounding strike authorization vote.
Stellantis responded to inquiries, stating their commitment to engaging in sincere negotiations to achieve an agreement that acknowledges employee contributions while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of their Canadian operations. Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, highlighted the members’ determination to secure a fair deal that safeguards Canadian autoworkers’ jobs.
One contentious issue has been the uncertainty surrounding the Brampton factory, where over 2,000 workers were laid off in 2023. Stellantis proposed selling the property to defense contractor Roshel, raising concerns about potential job losses and production shifts.
Unifor underscored the potential adverse impacts of closing and selling the Brampton plant on workers’ livelihoods, benefits, and the broader automotive industry in Ontario. Stellantis’ Canada president and CEO, Trevor Longley, reiterated the company’s significant investments in Canada, totaling over $8 billion since 2022.
In positive news, a third shift was recently reinstated in Windsor, signaling some stability in operations. Despite the strong strike mandate vote, the union clarified that they are not currently in a legal strike position as no formal request for a No Board report has been made by either Stellantis or Unifor.