Thousands of Windsor-area Stellantis workers will vote this weekend on whether to give Unifor a strike mandate as contract talks with the automaker remain stalled. The vote comes as employees at Windsor Assembly prepare for another three-week production shutdown beginning Oct. 19. Feeder plants are also expected to be affected. Unifor Local 195 president Emile Nabbout, who represents feeder plant workers, said members understand a strike vote is a key part of the bargaining process, but it does not automatically mean a walkout. He said the goal is to give the bargaining team a strong mandate. “We don’t take their vote for granted. We definitely want our member to give us 100 per cent strike mandate, but doesn’t mean that will be strike action,” Nabbout said. “This is really important part of the process within our organization.” Nabbout said the uncertainty surrounding shutdowns continues to weigh heavily on workers and their families. “There is always a concern, high level of anxiety, people need to pay their bill. This doesn’t really give us the stability that we need and build the confidence to continue building a good quality product that we are proud to continue building here in the city of Windsor and Essex County,” he said. Nabbout said several parts suppliers that rely on Windsor Assembly will be affected by the upcoming shutdown. He estimated between 1,500 and 1,600 union members at supplier facilities across Windsor will be impacted. “Flex-N-Gate Lakeshore, I would say 90 per cent the product they produce directly to Windsor Assembly that will be impacted very much with this shutdown schedule coming up,” Nabbout said. Unifor Local 444 represents more than 6,400 workers at Windsor Assembly, part of roughly 9,000 Stellantis employees across Canada. Hourly and skilled trades members will cast ballots in person Oct. 17 at Caesars Windsor. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with voting starting at 10 a.m. Results of the strike authorization vote are expected Oct. 19.
