Canadian union Unifor begins strikes at all Stellantis facilities

Canadian union Unifor begins strikes at all Stellantis facilities

Reuters — 2023-10-30

Automotive Industry

Canadian labor union Unifor said early on Monday it has commenced strikes at all Stellantis (STLAM.MI) facilities in the country, with more than 8,200 members staging a walkout after failing to reach a tentative agreement in labor contract talks.

The union is seeking improved wages and pensions. Its bargaining team has also prioritized discussions around support for its workers in the electric vehicle transition of Stellantis' Brampton Assembly Plant.

"We have made progress and we will continue to negotiate through the night," Unifor said in a statement.

Chrysler-parent Stellantis said it was "extremely disappointed" with the strike action and would continue to bargain until an agreement is reached.

Unifor's talks in Canada are separate from the United Auto Workers (UAW) union's negotiations in the United States. The UAW and Stellantis reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract on Saturday.

Unifor is using the "pattern bargaining" approach in its talks with the automakers in Canada, and reached ratified deals first with Ford (F.N) and then General Motors (GM.N).

The deal with GM was reached shortly after 4,300 workers went on strike at three GM facilities in Canada while the deal with Ford came ahead of a threatened strike.

Unifor is also trying to resolve issues specific to Stellantis including commuted value pension options and protections against outsourcing at the parts distribution centres.

Stellantis assembles some of its popular vehicles including the Dodge Charger, Challenger and the Chrysler Pacifica minivan in its Canadian plants.

The Canadian operations of the Detroit Three are much smaller than their U.S. setups, but all have critical factories in Canada.