Stellantis employees in Ontario, represented by Unifor, have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike mandate with a 97% approval rate, amid ongoing collective bargaining negotiations standstill. The voting took place over a two-day period on the weekend. These workers are based at various plants in Windsor, Toronto, and the currently inactive Brampton assembly plant.
Unifor, the union representing more than 9,000 Stellantis workers in Canada, has emphasized that resorting to a strike is a last-resort option. The union’s local president, James Stewart, expressed the unity and strength shown by the workforce through the high strike authorization vote percentage.
Stellantis responded to CBC News, stating their commitment to negotiate in good faith and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement that acknowledges the employees’ contributions while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of their Canadian operations. Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, reiterated the members’ determination to secure a fair agreement safeguarding jobs for Canadian autoworkers.
The union clarified that they are currently not in a legal position to strike as neither party has initiated a No Board report, a necessary labor law step for potential job action. A significant issue revolves around the uncertainty surrounding the Brampton factory, with Stellantis announcing plans to sell the facility to defense contractor Roshel. The union has raised concerns about the impact of such a move on workers’ livelihoods, wages, and the broader automotive sector and supply chain in Ontario.
Despite the challenges, Stellantis has reaffirmed its commitment to the Canadian market, highlighting investments exceeding $8 billion in its Canadian operations since 2022. Notably, in Windsor, the reinstatement of a third shift in February signaled positive developments within the company’s operations.
Photo Caption: More than 2,000 Stellantis workers were laid off in Brampton in 2023. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)