Unifor Members Approve New Contract with Stellantis in Canada, According to Reuters

Canadian labor union Unifor announced on Monday that its members have approved a new contract with Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler.

Unifor reached a tentative agreement with Stellantis on October 30, following a brief strike at the automaker’s facilities in Canada. The new deal includes significant wage increases: nearly 20% for production workers and 25% for skilled trades over the duration of the contract. Additionally, it reinstates cost-of-living allowances (COLA), which are set to return by the end of 2024.

The agreement received backing from union members at Stellantis facilities located in Windsor, Brampton, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Red Deer.

Stellantis employs the highest number of workers among the Detroit Three automakers in Canada and manufactures popular models, including the Dodge Charger and Challenger at its assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario.

In its negotiations, Unifor utilized a “pattern bargaining” strategy, which it had previously applied to reach deals with Ford and General Motors.

Meanwhile, a strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union against the Detroit Three automakers in the United States also concluded in October, with agreements now pending ratification by the union.

Unifor, similar to the UAW, has been advocating for better wages and pensions, as well as support during the transition to electric vehicles, and has sought additional investment commitments from the automakers.

As Stellantis prepares to launch over 25 battery-electric vehicles in Canada and the United States over the next few years, the company emphasized the importance of its Canadian operations in a recent statement.