Unifor begins Stellantis contract negotiations

Unifor and Stellantis have started negotiations on a new contract covering more than 9,000 workers at facilities across Canada.

“Our focus in this round of bargaining will be on Stellantis’ commitment to Canada, and what that looks like. It’s about positioning our members for the future,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Stellantis is the last of the Detroit Three to begin bargaining with Unifor, following the union’s pattern agreements with Ford Motor Company and General Motors.

The future of the idled Brampton Assembly Plant remains a priority for the union, with about 2,200 members on indefinite layoff. Unifor says securing production volumes at Windsor Assembly and the Etobicoke Casting Plant is also a key focus.

“The message I delivered to the company is that Stellantis can never take our members for granted. Should never take our union for granted. And can never take this country for granted,” said Payne.

Unifor has set an internal deadline of September 11 to reach a tentative agreement.

“We expect there to be some difficult conversations in the days to come but our bargaining team is here to do the work and to get the right deal for all our members,” said James Stewart, Unifor Stellantis Master Bargaining Committee Chairperson.