TORONTO—Unifor and Stellantis met today to begin negotiations on a new contract for more than 9,000 workers at facilities across Canada.

“Our focus in this round of bargaining will be on Stellantis’ commitment to Canada, and what that looks like. It’s about positioning our members for the future,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Stellantis is the last Detroit Three company to enter bargaining with Unifor, following the successful negotiation of the union’s D3 pattern with Ford Motor Company and General Motors.

The future of the idled Brampton Assembly Plant remains a union priority, with approximately 2,200 members on indefinite layoff. Securing production volumes at Windsor Assembly and the Etobicoke Casting Plant is also a key focus.

“The message I delivered to the company is that Stellantis can never take our members for granted. Should never take our union for granted. And can never take this country for granted,” said Payne.

The union has set an internal deadline of September 11 to reach a tentative agreement with the company.

“We expect there to be some difficult conversations in the days to come but our bargaining team is here to do the work and to get the right deal for all our members,” said James Stewart, Unifor Stellantis Master Bargaining Committee Chairperson.

For the latest bargaining updates and resources visit autotalks.ca.