Workers at Stellantis in Ontario, represented by Unifor, have overwhelmingly supported a strike mandate, with 97 percent voting in favor, as negotiations for collective bargaining remain at an impasse.
The voting took place over the weekend, spanning two days.
The employees work at manufacturing facilities located in Windsor, Toronto, and the currently inactive Brampton assembly plant.
Unifor represents over 9,000 workers employed by Stellantis in Canada.
The union emphasized that any potential strike would be a last resort for its Ontario members.
“Achieving a strike authorization vote above 97 percent across our Stellantis locations sends a strong message of unity and strength,” stated James Stewart, president of Unifor Local 444, in a video shared on social media on Monday morning.
“You have equipped us with the means to accomplish this.”
Company ‘committed’ to good-faith bargaining
The automaker provided a response to a CBC News inquiry on Monday morning.
“Stellantis is dedicated to negotiating in good faith and is willing to continue discussions aimed at reaching an agreement that acknowledges the efforts of our employees while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of our operations in Canada,” remarked spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin.
Lana Payne, Unifor’s national president, expressed that members are unified in their resolve to secure a “fair agreement” with Stellantis “that safeguards jobs for Canadian autoworkers.”
Over 2,000 Stellantis employees were laid off in Brampton in 2023. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)
The union has stated that it is not in a legal position to strike currently, as neither Stellantis nor Unifor has requested a No Board report, which is a necessary step under labor law for initiating job action.
A significant issue has been the uncertainty surrounding the Brampton facility. Recently, Stellantis announced its intention to sell the site to defense contractor Roshel.
In 2023, over 2,000 workers were laid off in Brampton, and the company subsequently shifted production of its Jeep Compass to Illinois.
Unifor has contended that the closure and sale of Brampton would jeopardize workers’ wages, pensions, and benefits, potentially impacting the broader Ontario automotive industry and supply chain.
Trevor Longley, president and CEO of Stellantis Canada, previously stated that the company views Canada as a crucial market and has invested over $8 billion in its Canadian operations since 2022.
In Windsor, a third shift was reinstated in February.