Unifor, a national labor union, revealed that Stellantis is contemplating the potential closure and sale of the Brampton Assembly Plant. Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, disclosed that the union received informal communication from Stellantis on Wednesday about these deliberations, emphasizing that Stellantis has yet to issue a formal written notification of the closure, as mandated by the collective agreement.
According to Payne, Stellantis is obligated to give the union a minimum of one year’s notice in case of closure or sale, but the company has expressed intentions to engage in discussions with another entity regarding the plant’s potential sale. Payne expressed deep disappointment, describing the news as a significant blow to the union, particularly affecting the dedicated workers at the plant.
In response to the situation, Stellantis released a statement stating that they are gearing up for collective bargaining talks and currently have no official announcements to make. The company reiterated its commitment to exploring sustainable manufacturing solutions for the Brampton Assembly facility.
Payne highlighted that the plant was initially scheduled for retooling to commence Jeep Compass production in January 2024, a process that was put on hold in February 2025. However, in October 2025, Stellantis informed the union of plans to relocate Jeep Compass production from Brampton to the United States, which would result in the plant’s indefinite shutdown.
Emphasizing the significance of the high-paying union jobs created through decades of collaboration in the automotive sector, Payne stressed that the current developments are unacceptable to the union and its members. The union plans to address these concerns during upcoming negotiations with Stellantis.
Vito Beato, president of Unifor Local 1285, affirmed the union’s commitment to fighting for the preservation of jobs at the Brampton plant, underscoring the importance of these roles. Beato conveyed optimism about finding opportunities to revive vehicle production at the plant through negotiations, emphasizing that closure is not a viable option.
Unifor Local 1285, representing approximately 2,200 members at the Brampton facility, noted that workers are currently receiving “income security,” covering 70% of their income while the plant remains inactive.
Statements from Brampton’s mayor’s spokesperson and a representative from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada expressed solidarity with Unifor and the workers at the plant, highlighting ongoing efforts to safeguard jobs and sustain automotive manufacturing operations in Brampton.