Stellantis talks Thursday: what's at stake for Windsor
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly meets Unifor and Stellantis in Toronto Thursday after the Brampton plant sale. For Windsor: the assembly plant was idle again this week, and Unifor said last week it had no assurance on the third shift.
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Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says she will meet Unifor and Stellantis in Toronto on Thursday to discuss a way forward, after Stellantis announced on Monday that it is selling its idled Brampton Assembly Plant to armoured-vehicle maker Roshel. Joly said so at a news conference in Montreal on Tuesday, CBC News and CP24 reported.
Unifor Local 444 president James Stewart told CBC News the union will meet representatives of the company and the federal and provincial governments on Thursday before deciding on its next steps.
Why it matters in Windsor
Stellantis cancelled production at Windsor Assembly for the week of Nov. 9, the fourth week in a row, citing tariffs and market conditions. About 6,000 unionized workers build the Chrysler Pacifica and the Dodge Charger there.
When Unifor asked for the meeting, it pointed to the extended down weeks at Windsor Assembly and said the company had failed "to provide assurances that the plant's footprint and third shift are secure." The third shift returned to Windsor Assembly earlier this year.
Contract talks between Unifor and Stellantis reached an impasse on Sept. 11, largely over Brampton, and members voted 97.3 per cent for a strike mandate in October.
The money
In May 2022, Ottawa announced up to $529 million to help Stellantis retool its Brampton and Windsor plants. On Tuesday, Stellantis said it "has offered to voluntarily return the government support received for Brampton Assembly's original retooling plan." The company said confidentiality provisions prevent it from disclosing more details, including the amount.
What it means for you
If you work production at Windsor Assembly, watch for the plant schedule from Unifor Local 444 and keep each layoff notice and pay stub. Windsor News will report what comes out of Thursday's meeting and any Windsor-specific commitment if one is made.
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