'Don't close, don't sell': Union implores Stellantis to keep Brampton plant as automaker signals sale | CBC News

Bargaining talks between union, Stellantis reached impasse last Friday: Unifor

The union representing Canadian workers at Stellantis is urging the automaker to keep its commitment to retooling its Brampton Ont., plant as the company looks poised to sell it instead.

Speaking at a news conference Thursday in Toronto, Unifor national president Lana Payne said the union does not accept the automaker's decision to sell.

The plant has been idle since 2023, initially in order to be retooled for Jeep Compass production, before the company paused the plan in early 2025. It later announced it was moving production of the vehicle model to the U.S instead.

"Don't close, don't sell. Protect the integrity of the plant as a bridge to future vehicle production."

Unifor says Stellantis considering closing, selling Brampton assembly plant

"Now in our 101st year here, we continue to build vehicles in Windsor, operate our Etobicoke casting facility and invest in advanced research and development at our engineering centre in Windsor," the letter said.

"We look forward to successfully concluding our discussions with Stellantis and implementing our plans to bring over 2,000 jobs, as well as new sovereign capabilities, including the production of ballistic steel, to Canada and to this facility,” his statement said.

Ford, Joly call on Stellantis to make new model at Brampton plant after automaker signals potential sale

The letter from Stellantis also said the automaker evaluated a "range of options" to return production to Brampton, but none "provided a sustainable long-term business case that would support continued operations at the facility."

"The automotive industry continues to face unpredictable trade policies, challenging regulatory requirements and affordability pressures," the letter said.

"We believe this outcome is in the best interest of both the community and employees, transforming an idled facility into a productive operation that can create jobs quickly and support long-term economic growth," the statement said.