Some workers at Stellantis’ Brampton assembly plant are contemplating moving to Windsor, Ontario, following the company’s recent decision to shift production of the Jeep Compass model to Illinois instead of Brampton.
The Windsor assembly plant is set to bring back a third shift by early 2026, giving unionized workers in Brampton the opportunity to transfer to fill that shift. One such worker facing this decision is Chris Vicars, who has been with the Brampton plant since 2005.
After discussions with family and friends, Vicars made the tough choice to relocate to Windsor during the week and return to Brampton on weekends to maintain his full pension benefits, which he is nine years away from claiming. Despite the emotional toll, Vicars is opting to live with relatives in Windsor during the workweek to save on living costs.
Before temporarily shutting down in early 2024 for retooling, Brampton’s Stellantis plant employed around 3,000 individuals. The retooling aimed to accommodate the production of the new Jeep Compass model but was paused in February due to U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles.
Vicars expressed frustration over the lack of transparency from the company, highlighting the impact on workers who had been hoping to return to work after the shutdown.
The ability for Brampton workers to transfer to Windsor or vice versa is part of the collective agreement between Stellantis and Unifor, the union representing Canadian Stellantis employees. The president of Unifor local 444 anticipates that not all eligible workers will make the move, leaving room for new hires in Windsor.
Following Stellantis’ recent announcement of a significant investment in its U.S. operations, the company confirmed the return of a third shift in Windsor to produce Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Charger Scatpack, and R/T models.
Despite the transfer option, the head of the local union representing Brampton workers criticized the company for its poor communication and lack of commitment to Brampton.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has warned Stellantis of potential legal action if it fails to fulfill its obligations to Canadian employees, in light of the company’s prior agreements with the government.
Vicars, while acknowledging the loss of seniority, remains steadfast in his willingness to transfer back to Brampton if given the opportunity, emphasizing the importance of family proximity over job security.