Stellantis has ‘confidence in Canada’ going into bargaining

With the threat of devastating U.S. tariffs looming, the president of Stellantis Canada hopes to bargain a collective agreement that keeps the automaker’s Canadian operations “competitive.”

In a written statement on Tuesday, the company’s first day of talks with Unifor, Trevor Longley said the investments Stellantis has made north of the border in recent years “reflect our confidence in Canada, our workforce and the long-term future of Canadian manufacturing.”

“As the automotive industry continues to navigate significant economic, trade and competitive pressures, our goal is to reach an agreement that recognizes the contributions of our employees while helping ensure our Canadian operations remain competitive. We look forward to constructive discussions in the weeks ahead.”

Longley said his company has delivered more than $8 billion in investments across its Canadian operations since 2022 and has played a role in establishing Canada’s first large-scale battery manufacturing facility — NextStar Energy Inc. in Windsor.

Stellantis, he said, is approaching bargaining “with respect for the process, appreciation for our represented employees, and a commitment to bargaining in good faith.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have repeatedly said the American administration wants Canadian auto manufacturing jobs to move south of the border. Trump said he plans to slap tariffs of 50 per cent on Canadian cars, trucks, auto parts, and steel starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Those tariffs are expected to overshadow this round of bargaining — the third and final round for Unifor, which has already ratified three-year agreements with Big Three automakers Ford Motor Co. and General Motors.

Unifor National President Lana Payne said she expects negotiations with Stellantis to be the union’s “most difficult and challenging yet, possibly ever.”

The “strong” pattern agreement set through the first round of negotiations with Ford included investment and stability for facilities. General Motors matched that, following the pattern, she said.

But Stellantis has already expressed a desire to close and sell its Brampton Assembly Plant and move thousands of jobs south of the border, something the union refuses to allow.

“At its core, this set of negotiations is about job security,” Payne said during a news conference on Tuesday afternoon. “It’s about Canada continuing to be an auto-making nation. It’s about the role of Stellantis in Canada. It’s about positioning all of us for the future by holding our ground today.”

Unifor Local 444 President James Stewart said workers have firsthand experience with the damage U.S. tariffs are causing. Trump has already slapped a 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian-made cars entering the U.S.

“It should come as no surprise (our members) are very anxious,” Stewart said. “They are concerned about what the future holds for their jobs, for their workplaces, and for their families.

“We are bargaining first and foremost for our members, but we also understand the gravity of the situation. In many ways, we are bargaining for the future of the Canadian auto industry. That is a heavy responsibility and one we don’t take lightly, but we’re encouraged by the positive outcomes of recent negotiations with Ford and General Motors.”

Stellantis has operated in Canada for more than 100 years, though not solely under the Stellantis brand. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Group PSA rebranded as Stellantis after announcing a merger in 2019.

The company touts itself as Canada’s largest automaker by employment with roughly 10,000 workers, including those in manufacturing, engineering, research and development, and emerging battery technologies.