Stellantis Signs MOU for Potential Sale of Brampton Plant to Roshel
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Contract talks between the automaker and Unifor have collapsed as the union warns of a devastating blow to Canada's automotive sector.
Automaker Stellantis has signed a memorandum of understanding with Roshel, a Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer, regarding the potential sale of its idled Brampton assembly plant, according to reporting from CBC Toronto, CityNews Toronto, and Global News Toronto.
Trevor Longley, chairman, president, and CEO of Stellantis Canada, stated that Roshel offers a "strong path" to restoring sustainable operations and preserving the site's role in advanced manufacturing. The plant has been idled since 2023, resulting in the layoff of more than 2,000 workers.
The move has led to a breakdown in contract negotiations. Unifor, the union representing the workers, paused talks on Sept. 11 after a 10-day bargaining period that began Sept. 1. Unifor spokesperson Kathleen O’Keefe stated that the proposal to close and sell the plant has hindered the process, threatening the pensions, wages, and benefits of union members. O’Keefe added that automotive assembly in Canada has "no economic substitute."
The conflict follows a series of reversals at the facility. While retooling for Jeep production began in early 2024, Stellantis paused those plans in early 2025 and moved Jeep Compass production to the U.S. Unifor characterized this move as a violation of its collective agreement.
With the current collective agreement set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 20, Unifor maintains there will be no settlement without a resolution for Local 1285 members in Brampton. The union also noted that Stellantis has yet to confirm plans for its Etobicoke casting plant and Windsor assembly plant.