The collective bargaining between Stellantis’s Windsor Assembly plant, employing over 6,000 workers, and the union is scheduled to commence on Tuesday. Unifor is engaging in negotiations with Stellantis, making it the final automaker among the Big 3 to sit at the bargaining table with Unifor. The official start time for negotiations is 11 a.m. ET, as per a video statement released by Unifor Local 444 president, James Stewart. Although the current collective agreement is set to expire at midnight on Sept. 20, negotiators are aiming to reach an agreement earlier, before a scheduled two-week shutdown at the end of the month.
James Stewart emphasized their commitment to continuous bargaining, stating, “We’re going to work straight through Labour Day. We won’t be returning home — our bargaining efforts will persist in pursuit of an internal deadline of Sept. 11.” These negotiations come at a critical juncture for Windsor’s automotive sector, which has been grappling with significant 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.
Recently, Unifor members voted to ratify a new deal with General Motors, securing wage increases for production and skilled trades workers, a $10,000 productivity bonus, and the renewal of a cost-of-living allowance. Similarly, union members at Ford also ratified a new agreement in July, which included wage increases, a renewal of the cost-of-living allowance, and planned investments in Canadian manufacturing.
A key focus for the union in the negotiations with Stellantis is to secure future production allocations for both the Windsor Assembly plant and the dormant Brampton plant. Approximately 2,200 workers in Brampton are currently on layoff, and Unifor expressed concerns after Stellantis indicated the potential sale of the plant, which Unifor national president Lana Payne described as a blow to the Canadian automotive industry.
Stewart acknowledged the challenges faced by negotiators due to trade pressures from the Trump administration, emphasizing the critical nature of the discussions. “We are engaged in a critical battle,” Stewart stated. “The U.S. administration has made it clear multiple times […] they are not in favor of our auto industry, our cars, or our parts. Despite these challenges, we are resolute in our commitment.”
