TORONTO, Sept. 11, 2026 /CNW/ -- Unifor and Stellantis have reached an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations, following 10 days of intensive talks. The parties had set a targeted deadline of September 11, 2026 to reach a tentative settlement. The Unifor Master Bargaining Committee has paused negotiations in Toronto and is actively considering next steps.

Central to the impasse is the future of Stellantis' Brampton Assembly Plant. Additionally, the company has yet to confirm forecasted plans for the Windsor Assembly Plant and Etobicoke Casting Plant. Stellantis has offered only conditional agreement with the economic pattern settlement tied to the closing of Brampton, creating added complications for reaching a deal.

In October 2025, Stellantis reneged on a prior commitment to invest in Jeep production at Brampton, in part as a response to tariffs. At the time, Stellantis reassured Unifor members, as well as government officials, of its intent to conditionally invest in new vehicle programs for Brampton.

In August of 2026, Stellantis notified Unifor that it was seriously considering the closure and sale of the facility to a third-party – a position that Unifor strongly opposed. That position was restated while in bargaining. The company confirmed it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with defense industry supplier Roshel, who has expressed interest in purchasing the plant.

The persistence of the company's proposal to close and sell the Brampton plant has hindered the bargaining process.

Meanwhile, the company has also been in ongoing discussions with the federal government over its broken commitment to Brampton and future of the assembly plant.

The proposed facility closure and sale threaten the wages, pensions and other benefits of Unifor members. It also deals a devastating blow to Canada's industrial sector, especially in the province of Ontario and the community of Brampton. There is no economic substitute for automotive assembly in Canada, including the extensive supply chain, regional economic activity, and high-quality, union jobs connected to it.

Unifor has been consistent in its position that there will be no tentative settlement without a suitable resolution for Local 1285 members at Brampton. The union has reiterated this position to both the company and government officials.

Absent a resolution, formal contract talks between Unifor and Stellantis are paused until further notice.  

The union will provide further details in the days ahead.

The current collective agreement expires on September 20, 2026 at 11:59pm.

SOURCE Unifor