The union representing Canadian workers at Stellantis is urging the federal government to intervene as the automaker looks to sell its idled Brampton, Ont., assembly plant to Canadian armoured vehicle maker Roshel. In a letter to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on Wednesday, Unifor national president Lana Payne warns that if Stellantis is successful in its attempt to sell the facility, the company would be abandoning vehicle production at the plant, which would leave more than 2,000 employees out of work and affect suppliers employing thousands nearby. Payne says it is “incumbent on the federal government to do everything possible to prevent this outcome.” She also asked the minister to clarify what role Ottawa potentially played in discussions around the potential sale, and whether a memorandum of understanding between Stellantis and Roshel could have breached conditions of the commitment the automaker has made to the government. The MOU was announced last Friday as contract talks between Stellantis and Unifor broke down. The current collective agreement between the automaker and union is set to expire Sept. 20 at 11:59 p.m.
