The Canadian union Unifor began strikes at all Stellantis facilities on October 27, 2023, after rejecting the company’s latest contract offer.
Unifor represents over 10,000 workers at Stellantis facilities in Windsor, Brampton, and Etobicoke, Ontario. The union has been negotiating a new contract with Stellantis since March 2023.
The main issues in the dispute are wages, benefits, and job security. Unifor is demanding a wage increase of 15% over three years, while Stellantis is offering a wage increase of 8% over three years. Unifor is also demanding better benefits and job security guarantees.
Stellantis has said that it is prepared to negotiate with Unifor, but that the union’s demands are too high. The company has also said that it is willing to continue operating its Canadian facilities during the strike.
The strike is having a significant impact on Stellantis’ production in Canada. The company has been forced to idle its Windsor assembly plant, which produces the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan. The company has also reduced production at its Brampton assembly plant, which produces the Chrysler 300 sedan and the Dodge Challenger muscle car.
It is unclear how long the strike will last. Both Unifor and Stellantis have said that they are committed to reaching a new contract. However, the two sides remain far apart on the key issues in the dispute.
The strike is a reminder of the challenges facing the Canadian auto industry. The industry is facing a number of challenges, including a slowdown in global auto sales, rising costs, and increasing competition from foreign automakers.
The strike is also a reminder of the importance of unions in protecting the rights and interests of workers. Unifor is fighting for better wages, benefits, and job security for its members. The outcome of the strike will have a significant impact on the future of the Canadian auto industry and the workers who depend on it.