Stellantis workers in Canada began a two-day vote this week on whether to give their union a strike mandate, as collective bargaining negotiations with the automaker remain stalled.
Unifor, the union representing the workers, said the voting will conclude with results announced Monday. The union said a potential strike remains a last resort, and it still hopes to reach a negotiated agreement with Stellantis rather than take job action.
Dispute Over Brampton Plant Sale
Tensions between Unifor and Stellantis have intensified following the automaker’s announcement that it plans to sell its idled Brampton, Ont., assembly plant to Roshel, a defence contractor. Stellantis said market and trade conditions have undermined the business case for keeping the plant running, but it maintained that selling the facility could support future jobs there.
The Brampton plant has sat idle since 2023, when more than 2,000 workers were laid off after operations halted. Stellantis later shifted production of its Jeep Compass from Brampton to a facility in Illinois, a move that has remained a point of contention with the union.
What Comes Next
With bargaining still stalled, the strike mandate vote is seen as a step that could strengthen Unifor’s position at the table, though the union has stressed that a strike is not its preferred outcome. Results of the vote are expected to be announced Monday, which could shape the next phase of negotiations between the union and Stellantis.
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