The pattern behind the Stellantis impasse

Ford and GM deals this summer set 3% yearly raises. Unifor says Stellantis tied that pattern to closing Brampton. "Right now anything they talk about comes with conditions," Local 444 president James Stewart said (AM800). Stellantis says it is bargaining in good faith.

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Unifor's Ford and General Motors members ratified new three-year contracts this summer. The union wants the same terms, known as the pattern, at Stellantis. It says the company has offered them only on condition that it can close and sell the idled Brampton Assembly Plant.

"Right now anything they talk about comes with conditions," Unifor Local 444 president James Stewart told AM800 News on Oct. 7. "We need to get by all of that so that our members recognize when a commitment is made by Stellantis, they're going to live up to it." Stewart chairs Unifor's Stellantis master bargaining committee.

What Ford and GM agreed

Ford members ratified their contract July 19, Unifor said. It includes 3% raises in each of its three years, a renewed cost-of-living allowance, a $10,000 productivity and quality bonus and a $2,000 December bonus in the first year, and a full-rate production wage of $50.20 an hour by the end of the deal. The union said it also renews a no-closure agreement and includes US$500 million for Ford's Windsor operations.

GM members ratified Aug. 30. Unifor said those contracts mirror the 3% raises and the same top wages, along with new product commitments for Oshawa and St. Catharines.

What Stellantis says

Stellantis has signed a memorandum of understanding with Roshel, an armoured vehicle maker, on a potential sale of the Brampton plant. Stellantis Canada CEO Trevor Longley said in September that Roshel "represents a strong path to restoring sustainable operations at Brampton Assembly," CBC News reported. Roshel said laid-off Brampton workers would get first consideration for jobs.

In an Oct. 6 statement, Stellantis said it "remains committed to bargaining in good faith" toward an agreement "supporting the long-term competitiveness of our Canadian operations."

Unifor members vote on strike authorization Oct. 17 and 18, with results Oct. 19. The contract expired Sept. 20.