The labor union representing more than 6,000 employees at Stellantis’ Windsor Assembly plant is gearing up for collective bargaining talks with the company starting on Tuesday. Stellantis is the final of the Big 3 automakers to engage in negotiations with Unifor. The discussions are set to commence at 11:00 a.m., as confirmed by a video announcement shared on social media by Unifor Local 444 President, James Stewart.
Although the current collective agreement is due to expire at midnight on Sept. 20, negotiators are aiming to reach a new agreement earlier, before the Windsor Assembly Plant undergoes a two-week shutdown at the end of September. Stewart expressed determination, stating, “We’re going to work right through Labour Day, we’re not coming home, we’re going to continue to bargain to try and achieve an internal deadline of Sept. 11.”
These negotiations come at a pivotal time for Windsor’s automotive industry, which has been grappling with substantial U.S. tariffs on vehicle and parts exports to the United States. President Donald Trump has even threatened to raise these tariffs to 50% effective Jan. 1.
Unifor members recently voted to approve a new deal with General Motors, securing wage hikes for production and skilled trades workers, a $10,000 productivity bonus, and the extension of a cost-of-living allowance. Similarly, union members at Ford ratified a new agreement with the company in July, which included wage increases, cost-of-living allowances, and commitments to invest in Canadian manufacturing.
James Stewart emphasized the significance of securing future production allocations for both the Windsor Assembly Plant and the idle Brampton facility as a key objective in the negotiations with Stellantis. Approximately 2,200 workers in Brampton are currently laid off, and Unifor has expressed concerns after Stellantis revealed considerations to sell the plant, a move described by Unifor National President Lana Payne as a blow to the Canadian automotive sector.
Stewart acknowledged the challenges posed by trade pressures from the Trump administration in a video statement, underscoring the critical nature of the negotiations. “We are in the fight for our lives,” Stewart emphasized, highlighting the adversities faced amid the U.S. administration’s stance on the auto industry.