Stellantis has announced the sale of its Brampton assembly plant to Canadian defence technology company Roshel, a move that a union representing workers says amounts to a “betrayal.” In a news release issued late Monday afternoon, Stellantis and Roshel announced an agreement to sell the plant “for an undisclosed amount,” with the transaction expected to close by the end of this year. The sale, they said, will “create a path to return the Brampton Assembly Plant to productive industrial use.” More than 2,200 workers have been on layoff at the Brampton assembly plant since production was put on hold in December, 2023. “Brampton employees have made lasting contributions to Stellantis, and we take our responsibilities to them and their families seriously. After three years of paid layoff, we remain committed to working with Unifor on a fair resolution,” Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said in the release. “With this announcement, we are driving forward our broader strategic goals, opening new opportunities for Stellantis in the defence industry and creating a path to return the Brampton facility to productive industrial use.” ‘Stellantis has betrayed our members’ In a press conference Monday evening, Unifor President Lana Payne, said that the sale of the plant “has been and will be an unacceptable outcome for our union and our members.” “Selling an auto assembly plant and losing vehicle production capacity is devastating for the Canadian industry, for our country, but mostly for the workers who have given so much to this company over so many years. Because once that capacity is gone, it’s often gone for good,” Payne said. Payne described the sale as a “worst case scenario” and that Stellantis “has betrayed our members with an underhanded deal to sell the plant and walk away from its commitments to these workers.” “Allowing the sale to move forward is a critical failure of our national auto strategy, and breaks the federal government’s promise to protect auto workers from this U.S. trade war.” “It’s really hard to believe this plant could have been sold without some green light from the federal government, Payne said.” Later in the press conference, Unifor Local President Vito Biato also condemmed the sale, and said that they told government officials that the move would “steer the auto industry down the wrong path.” “Some in government are hearing us, but just aren’t listening.” “Workers have done nothing but build the best cars for this company for decades. These same workers are now left chasing rumours. Stellantis has disrespected our members and our union. This is complete shameful and disgusting behaviour by Stellantis,” Biato said. Unifor officials said they had requested a meeting with Stellantis and government officials about the Brampton plant sale. In a statement, the union asked the City of Brampton and the Ontario government to “take all possible actions” to enforce bylaws which “explicitly designate the Brampton Assembly Plant location for automotive assembly.” Deal ends months of speculation In September, Stellantis signed a memorandum of understanding with Roshel for a potential sale of the plant, setting off months of speculation on its fate. On Monday, Roshel said that it plans to “create a new centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing” which will “allow Canadian companies to better serve customers at home and export into allied markets.” Roshel did not provide details on how many people would be employed at the facility, only saying that once complete it will “bring much-needed manufacturing space and jobs to the Toronto area.” Stellantis received funding to retool plant In May, 2022 the federal government agreed to provide Stellantis with $529 million in funding to retool its Brampton and Windsor plants. In a statement, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the decision by Stellantis “does not erase the commitments they made to workers in Brampton.” “We remain focused on finding solutions for the more than 2,000 affected workers and their families. They deserve answers, respect and, above all, a secure future,” Joly wrote. “All parties must come back to the bargaining table. I have reached out to representatives from Unifor, Stellantis, the Government of Ontario and the Brampton plant to convene a meeting later this week.” There is a long history of manufacturing at the Brampton assembly plant dating back to 1986. Most recently, the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger were assembled at the plant but the last of those vehicles rolled off the assembly line in 2023. At the time, Stellantis said that the plant would undergo improvements to begin manufacturing electric vehicles. In a message posted on social media on Monday, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said that “Stellantis has a legal obligation to Canadian taxpayers and a moral obligation” to unionized workers. “All parties involved must do better,” he said.
