BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor Assembly. (Photo by Jason Viau)BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor Assembly. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Chatham

Unifor ratifies Stellantis agreement

Unionized Stellantis employees now have a three-year contract in place.

Workers represented by Unifor have ratified a new contract, the union reported Monday evening.

Stellantis' 8,200 Canadian employees had voted over the weekend. Unifor reported that 60 per cent of the master production and maintenance class at the Windsor Assembly Plant, Brampton Assembly Plant, and Etobicoke Casting Plant, said yes.

Unifor National President Lana Payne said the contract followed the templates set by just-approved agreements with Ford and General Motors.

"Unifor members at Stellantis will receive the same significant wage increases, pension improvements, and electric vehicle (EV) transition income security measures as Unifor members at Ford and General Motors," said Payne. "This contract also confirms investment and product commitments for Windsor, Brampton and Etobicoke, including the retooling of Brampton Assembly to build future EVs."

Unifor's Stellantis Master Bargaining Chair James Stewart said it took time to work through the many concerns members had, but it eventually came together.

"Our bargaining team faced a unique set of challenges with so much uncertainty over the EV transition, the future of our facilities, and a growing affordability crisis. This contract needed to deliver in a big way that ensured none of our members were left behind," said Stewart. "I believe that we have accomplished our goals and we appreciate the support of our members throughout the bargaining process."

The Canadian contract talks with the Detroit Big Three automakers are now complete. Negotiations for some 1,500 Unifor employees at GM's CAMI Plant in Ingersoll are set to begin in September 2024.

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