Unifor National President Lana Payne says strike action is a "real possibility" as negotiations with Stellantis are still at an impasse.
The union is waiting to hear back from the government on its involvement or knowledge of the Memorandum of Understanding between Stellantis and Rochel, an armoured vehicle manufacturer.
According to Stellantis, an MOU has been signed regarding the future of the Brampton Assembly Plant with the manufacturer.
"There is important information that we need to have before going back to the table with the company and we are pushing in all of the places we can right now to have a different solution for Brampton than a closure and a sale," said Payne.
The current contract expires September 20, however, a strike deadline has not been set.
"It remains Unifor's objective to reach a tentative settlement with Stellantis without the need to take strike action; however, bargaining remains extremely challenging right now," said Payne.
The union would have to complete the conciliation process and hold strike votes before a strike date is set.
Unifor Local 444 President James Stewart says his members are anxious but understand what the union is fighting for.
"When a commitment is broken to the Brampton workers, for a commitment for two or three shifts of production of the Jeep Compass that they decided to move away, you are only a small stretch where that's Windsor next or Etobicoke next," said Stewart.
Payne said this is not just a fight for one auto plant but for auto manufacturing in Canada as a whole.
"What Unifor is ultimately seeking here is time. Don't close, don't sell. Protect the integrity of the plant as a bridge to future vehicle production with Stellantis, Unifor, and government working for that outcome," said Payne.
