The results of a strike vote by more than 9,000 Stellantis workers is set to be released Monday morning, with their union saying contract talks with the company are still at an impasse.
Voting took place Saturday and Sunday.
In a written statement, Unifor — the country’s largest private sector union — said it still hopes to reach a negotiated settlement, but needs the leverage that comes with a strong strike vote.
“A strike authorization gives the bargaining committee the authority to call a strike if necessary, it does not automatically mean a strike will take place,” said a statement last week signed by the union’s bargaining committee, including Unifor national president Lana Payne. “Strike action remains a last resort, but the ability to strike is an important part of collective bargaining and can help create the conditions for an agreement.”
While Unifor workers at GM and Ford both reached deals with their employers, talks with Stellantis have hit an impasse, largely over the fate of the company’s idled assembly plant in Brampton. In September, the company announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding to sell the plant to defence manufacturer Roshel.
The Stellantis assembly plant in Brampton has been idle since December 2023, when it shut down for retooling to produce a new version of the Jeep Compass.
Last year, the company paused the retooling, citing changing market conditions, including tariffs imposed by U.S. president Donald Trump. Stellantis subsequently shifted production of the Compass to U.S. plants.
In a letter to employees announcing the MOU with Roshel, Stellantis Canada president Trevor Longley said there was no economically-viable path for the Brampton assembly plant.
“Over the past several months, Stellantis has evaluated a range of options to return production to Brampton, including potential new product allocations, interim production concepts, and opportunities with other companies,” said Longley. “While each option was carefully reviewed, none provided a sustainable long-term business case that would support continued operations at the facility.”
