Stellantis Considers Closure and Sale of Brampton Assembly Plant, Unifor Says
Stellantis informed Unifor this week about the potential closure and sale of the Brampton Assembly Plant, according to the national union. Unifor’s president, Lana Payne, revealed that while the company has not yet provided formal written notice of closure, they are contemplating discussions with another entity regarding the plant’s sale. The collective agreement mandates Stellantis to give the union a year’s notice before any closure or sale.
Expressing disappointment, Payne emphasized the significance of the plant to union members who have dedicated themselves to its operations. Stellantis, in response, stated they are gearing up for collective bargaining and emphasized their commitment to finding a sustainable manufacturing solution for the Brampton facility.
The union had anticipated the retooling of the plant for Jeep Compass production, which commenced in January 2024 but was halted in February 2025. Later in October 2025, Stellantis disclosed plans to relocate Jeep Compass production slated for Brampton to the United States, leading to potential plant shutdown.
Unifor plans to address this issue during upcoming contract talks with Stellantis, asserting that the loss of high-paying union jobs in the auto sector is irreplaceable. The union will persist in advocating for government policies safeguarding Canada’s auto manufacturing sector.
Vito Beato, president of Unifor Local 1285, affirmed the union’s determination to safeguard jobs at the Brampton plant, rejecting any notion of abandoning workers. He expressed optimism about negotiating opportunities for the plant’s future and reinstating vehicle production, emphasizing that closure is not an option.
Unifor Local 1285, representing approximately 2,200 members at the Brampton facility, highlighted that workers are currently receiving income security amid the plant’s idle status.
Various stakeholders, including the City of Brampton and the federal government, have shown support for Unifor and the plant’s workers, with a shared goal of securing production, protecting jobs, and ensuring long-term investments in Canada.
The news arrives amidst ongoing labor negotiations between Unifor and major automakers, with Stellantis negotiations up next following discussions with General Motors. The contract between Unifor and Stellantis covering Brampton, Windsor, and Etobicoke plants is set to expire on September 20.