The union representing Canadian workers at Stellantis is urging the automaker to uphold its promise to revamp the Brampton Ont., plant despite indications of a potential sale. Stellantis recently announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Canadian armored vehicle maker Roshel regarding the sale of the Brampton facility.
During a press conference in Toronto, Unifor national president Lana Payne expressed the union’s opposition to Stellantis’ decision to sell the plant. Payne emphasized the seriousness of Stellantis’ intention to exit Brampton as their sole plan, urging both the public and government to acknowledge this stance.
The Brampton plant has been inactive since 2023, initially scheduled for retooling to manufacture Jeep Compass vehicles before the plan was halted in early 2025. Subsequently, production of the vehicle model was shifted to the U.S.
Unifor continues to advocate for Stellantis to proceed with the promised retooling of the Jeep Compass at the plant, emphasizing the importance of preserving the facility for future vehicle production and rejecting closure or sale.
Stellantis, in a letter shared with CBC News by a Brampton plant worker, reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to Canada after a century of operations in the country. The company highlighted its ongoing vehicle production in Windsor, operation of the Etobicoke casting facility, and investment in advanced research and development in Windsor.
Furthermore, Roshel expressed readiness to commit to rehiring laid-off Unifor workers and creating over 2,000 jobs at the Brampton plant, emphasizing plans for the production of ballistic steel in Canada.
Stellantis stated that despite evaluating various options to resume production at Brampton, none provided a sustainable long-term business case due to market and trade conditions impacting the facility’s original business model.
The company believes that the MOU with Roshel presents a credible opportunity to generate jobs and long-term economic value for Brampton, Ontario, and Canada. Stellantis sees this as a mutually beneficial outcome that could transform the idle plant into a productive operation.
Unifor has signaled the possibility of strike action following the revelation of Stellantis’ MOU with Roshel, noting the interference and added complexities in negotiations. The current collective agreement between the automaker and the union is set to expire soon, with efforts focused on reaching a tentative settlement to avoid a strike.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has been urged by Unifor to provide clarity on government discussions with Stellantis regarding the MOU, expressing concerns over the potential sale during a trade war and ongoing collective bargaining.
Ardis Snow, chairperson at the Brampton plant, emphasized the high anxiety among workers, with many relying on unemployment benefits and supplemental pay while expressing concerns about financial strain if the plant were to close.
Unifor views the Brampton plant as a critical symbol for Canada’s automotive industry, emphasizing the significance of upholding commitments made by Stellantis to avoid setting a precedent for broken promises.
Automotive reporter Greg Layson described the contract talks and the Brampton plant’s future as a complex situation, exacerbated by the trade war and unmet commitments tied to government investments. The uncertainty surrounding economic policies and market conditions, influenced by the trade war and upcoming U.S. midterms, adds further complexity to the situation.