Unifor, a national union, revealed that Stellantis is contemplating the potential closure and sale of the Brampton Assembly Plant. Lana Payne, Unifor’s national president, disclosed that Stellantis shared this information informally on Wednesday but has not yet provided formal written notice, as required by their collective agreement.
Stellantis is obligated to give the union a one-year notice of any closure or sale per the agreement terms. The company has also hinted at engaging in discussions with another entity regarding the potential sale of the plant. Payne expressed deep disappointment at this development, emphasizing the impact on the dedicated plant workers.
According to Stellantis’ statement on Friday, they are gearing up for collective bargaining discussions and have no specific announcements at this time. Their primary focus remains on finding a sustainable manufacturing solution for the Brampton Assembly facility.
Payne highlighted that the Brampton plant was initially set for retooling to produce Jeep Compass vehicles, with the process commencing in January 2024 but halting in February 2025. However, in October 2025, Stellantis informed the union of their decision to transfer Jeep Compass production from Brampton to the U.S., leading to a potential indefinite plant shutdown.
The union plans to address this issue during upcoming contract talks with Stellantis. Payne stressed the significance of preserving high-paying union jobs established over many years in the automotive sector. Additionally, the union intends to urge the federal government to implement policies safeguarding Canada’s auto manufacturing industry.
Vito Beato, president of Unifor Local 1285, affirmed the union’s commitment to defending the jobs at the Brampton plant, emphasizing the importance of these roles. Beato expressed optimism about finding alternatives to plant closure during bargaining discussions, asserting that closure is not an acceptable outcome.
Unifor Local 1285 represents approximately 2,200 members at the Brampton plant, who are currently receiving income security while the plant remains idle. The City of Brampton, as well as federal authorities, have expressed support for Unifor and the plant workers, with efforts underway to protect jobs and maintain automotive production in Brampton.