Stellantis Canada has confirmed the sale of its Brampton Assembly Plant.
The automaker announced on Monday afternoon that it has reached an asset purchase agreement with Canadian defence technology company Roshel for the facility and its contents.
Stellanis said that the sale is part of its FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, which is designed to enhance long-term competitiveness through "disciplined management of its manufacturing footprint."
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa championed the move, while acknowledging the anxiety that it has caused Brampton plant workers.
"Brampton employees have made lasting contributions to Stellantis, and we take our responsibilities to them and their families seriously. After three years of paid layoff, we remain committed to working with Unifor on a fair resolution," said Filosa. "With this announcement, we are driving forward our broader strategic goals, opening new opportunities for Stellantis in the defence industry, and creating a path to return the Brampton facility to productive industrial use."
The plant has been sitting idle for three years and has been a point of contention in the current contract talks between Stellantis and Unifor.
Unifor National President Lana Payne has condemned the announcement.
"Stellantis has betrayed our members with an underhanded deal to sell the plant and walk away from its commitments to our members," said Payne in a statement. "Allowing the sale to move forward is a critical failure of the national auto strategy and breaks the federal government’s promise to protect autoworkers in the U.S. trade war."
Payne added that before Monday's announcement, talks between Stellantis, the provincial and federal governments, and Unifor were being finalized.
In February, Brampton City Council unanimously voted to adjust bylaws to designate that Brampton Assembly was to be used as an auto assembly or manufacturing facility.
Unifor members voted 97.3 per cent in favour of strike action last month, and talks have been at an impasse since September. This also affects thousands of employees at the Windsor Assembly Plant.
