Unionized workers at Stellantis NV's Canadian operations voted 97.3% to authorize a strike if needed. The vote took place Oct. 17 and 18, and while it arms Unifor with leverage, the union is not yet legally able to walk out.
Unifor represents about 9,000 Stellantis employees in Canada, and their collective agreement lapsed in September. "Unifor members at Stellantis understand how difficult negotiations with the company have been and gave an overwhelming mandate to support their bargaining committee," Unifor National President Lana Payne said. "Our members are united in their determination to reach a fair agreement with Stellantis that protects jobs for Canadian autoworkers."
Bargaining stopped after Roshel Inc., an armored vehicle maker, said it had signed a memorandum that outlines steps toward purchasing an idled plant in the Toronto area from Stellantis. Unifor is against the deal. At Stellantis's Brampton, Ontario facility, vehicle output has been absent since late 2023, and in September the company told workers it sees "no long-term business case" for building vehicles there.
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Production strain is also evident in Windsor. A post on X from the local union said the assembly plant canceled production for three weeks, stretching into the week of Nov. 2.
Ottawa has provided Stellantis with hundreds of millions of dollars tied to production commitments and had been pushing both sides to resume talks after the September breakdown. "Our position is clear: we will bring back production to Brampton. These are well-paid jobs, here in Ontario, and we will make certain that Stellantis honors its commitments to Canadians," said Industry Minister Melanie Joly during a Friday event in Toronto.
"Stellantis remains committed to bargaining in good faith and is prepared to continue discussions toward a negotiated agreement that recognizes the contributions of our employees while supporting the long-term competitiveness of our Canadian operations," spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin wrote in an email.
Labor risk can pinch output, which feeds into delivery timing and pricing. With an overwhelming strike mandate, bargaining on ice over a potential plant sale, and recent downtime in Windsor, watch for clarity on Brampton's future and any timetable to restart talks. The bottom line: production stability is the variable that matters for supply chains and how you size auto exposure in your portfolio.
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