Topline
Members of the Canadian labor union Unifor employed by Crysler and Dodge maker Stellantis began striking against the automaker after the two sides failed to agree to a contract deal before the midnight deadline on Sunday.
8,200 of Stellantis’ unionized workers in Canada began picketing the company early on Monday.
Key Facts
In a statement on social media, Unifor said 8,200 members have begun their work stoppage and have started picketing the automaker’s facilities.
Most of the striking workers are from Stellantis’s facilities in southern Ontario, including its assembly plants in Windsor and Brampton, its casting plant in Etobicoke, and its parts distribution center in Mississauga, the union said.
In an earlier notification on its website, the union informed its workers that they should report for their next scheduled shift for picketing, and the group’s leadership will keep them informed about the negotiations.
Talks between Unifor and the Detroit automaker will “continue through the night,” the union’s statement added.
Chief Critic
In response to the work stoppage, Stellantis said: “We are extremely disappointed. We will continue to bargain in good faith until an agreement is reached. We look forward to getting everyone back to work as soon as possible.”
What To Watch For
While bargaining with automakers for new contracts, Unifor is using an approach called “pattern bargaining,” where a deal with one Detroit automaker is supposed to provide a blueprint for similar agreements for workers employed at the two others. Unifor recently ratified deals with both Ford and General Motors, with Stellantis the only remaining holdout. Ford was able to avoid a work stoppage by agreeing to a tentative deal in September. A deal between Unifor and GM was reached only a day after the union began striking against the company.
Key Background
The strike against Stellantis in Canada comes less than 48 hours after the Dodge and Ram truck maker agreed to a tentative deal with the United Auto Workers after a nearly six-week-long strike against the big three Detroit automakers in the U.S. Stellantis’ tentative deal follows one made between the UAW and Ford. GM remains the only holdout in the U.S. strikes
Further Reading
UAW Reaches Tentative Contract Deal With Stellantis—Leaving Only GM To Negotiate (Forbes)
Ford Reaches Tentative Deal With Canadian Labor Union To Avoid Dual Strikes (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/10/30/canadian-labor-union-begins-strike-against-chrysler-maker-stellantis/