Unifor is moving toward a possible strike at Stellantis in Canada, with union members set to vote on strike authorization October 17 and 18. The results are scheduled to be announced October 19, as negotiations remain stalled over the future of Brampton Assembly and broader job-security concerns.

The union told members that talks with Stellantis remain at an impasse on several issues, including what it described as the “core economic pattern” being conditional on an agreement to close and sell the Brampton plant.

Brampton Assembly at the center of negotiations

Brampton Assembly is currently idled and has approximately 2,200 union members. That makes it Stellantis’ second-largest Canadian facility by employment, behind Windsor Assembly, which has about 6,400 workers. Unifor represents 9,140 Stellantis employees across the country.

Unifor said the unresolved issues extend beyond Brampton’s future. The union also linked them to job security for its members and the long-term future of Stellantis operations throughout Canada. The union’s contract with the automaker expired September 20.

A strike authorization vote would not automatically trigger a walkout. If members approve the measure, it would give the bargaining committee the authority to call a strike if necessary. Unifor has characterized a strike as a last resort and a tool for advancing negotiations.

Potential production disruptions

A strike could stop production of the Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger, while also affecting some parts distribution and component manufacturing. The scope of any disruption would depend on whether the bargaining committee ultimately chose to call a strike after an authorization vote.

Stellantis had previously scheduled Brampton Assembly to build the redesigned Jeep Compass. Production was later shifted to Belvidere Assembly in Illinois. The automaker initially indicated that another vehicle could be assigned to Brampton, but reportedly changed direction over the summer while considering a sale of the facility to a third party.

Proposed sale to Roshel

Stellantis eventually reached a memorandum of understanding with Roshel, a Canadian defense manufacturer, regarding the plant. Stellantis said the agreement offers a path toward restoring sustainable operations at Brampton, retaining the site’s role in Canada’s advanced manufacturing sector and avoiding an extended period of inactivity.

Unifor has rejected that rationale, leaving the plant’s future as a central point of conflict in negotiations. The scheduled vote will determine whether the union’s bargaining committee gains the authority to escalate pressure on Stellantis, but it will not by itself confirm that a strike will occur.