Canadian Union Unifor Sets Deadline For Stellantis Deal: Strike Looms Unless Terms Met

Canadian workers union Unifor said on Tuesday that it will commence official negotiations with Chrysler-parent Stellantis NV STLA on Wednesday. The new announcement comes days after the union ratified a new agreement with General Motors Co.

What Happened: The union has set a deadline of Oct. 29, 11:59 p.m. for a strike unless Stellantis agrees to follow the pattern agreement the union has already set with Ford of Canada and General Motors. In addition, the union is also looking to address Stellantis-specific issues.

"We also have the added challenge of negotiating future product commitments for the Brampton Assembly plant that secures a future for all of our Stellantis members in the EV transition," said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

The union represents over 8,200 workers at Stellantis across the Windsor Assembly Plant, Brampton Assembly Plant, Etobicoke Casting Plant, Red Deer Parts Distribution Centre and Mississauga Parts Distribution Centre. 

Why It Matters: The union opened negotiations with all three Detroit automakers- Ford Motor Co, General Motors, and Stellantis NV in early August for better pay and pensions. However, it decided to concentrate on Ford on nearing contract expiry. The idea was to reach an agreement with Ford, which could set the ground for contracts with the other two. The union has already managed to ratify new agreements with Ford and GM.

Meanwhile, the UAW union's simultaneous strike against the Detroit three in the U.S. that kickstarted on Sept. 15 at midnight has completed a whole month with no end in sight.

Photo by Jonathan Weiss on Shutterstock

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