Brampton Plant’s Future in Jeopardy, Says Unifor

A national union announced this week that Stellantis has communicated it is seriously looking at the possibility of closing and selling the Brampton Assembly Plant.

Unifor national president Lana Payne told reporters on Friday that the union “received information” from Stellantis on Wednesday regarding these potential plans, but Stellantis hasn’t given formal written notice about closing the plant as required by its collective agreement.

Payne stated that under their collective agreement, the company must provide at least one year’s notice to the union for any closure or sale. She mentioned that Stellantis expressed a desire to begin discussions with another company about possibly selling the plant.

“To say that we are disappointed would be an understatement,” Payne said. “This is a gut punch to our union and to our members, most importantly to our members, the workers who have given everything to this plant.”

In a statement on Friday, Stellantis said: “We are preparing to enter the collective bargaining process and have nothing to announce at this time. Our focus remains on finding a sustainable manufacturing solution for Brampton Assembly.”

‘None of this is acceptable,’ Unifor says

Payne noted that plans were in place for retooling the plant for Jeep Compass production, which began in January 2024 but was put on hold in February 2025.

In October 2025, Stellantis informed the union it planned to shift Jeep Compass production from Brampton to the U. S., which would leave the plant idle indefinitely.

“There is absolutely no replacement for high paid union jobs developed under an auto sector collective agreement built up over 80 years,” Payne said.

She added that this issue will be addressed during upcoming contract negotiations with Stellantis.

“None of this is acceptable to our union and nor will it be acceptable to our members. The workers of Brampton and this country deserve so much better,” Payne said.

Unifor National President Lana Payne is pictured here in Toronto on June 22, 2026. (Alex Lupul/CBC)

Payne further stated that the union will continue urging the federal government for policies aimed at protecting Canada’s auto manufacturing industry.

“The Brampton Assembly plant has been an economic anchor for the community of Brampton for generations, a driver of good union jobs and a producer of iconic Chrysler and Dodge brand vehicles,” she remarked.

This news emerges as Unifor has started negotiating new labor agreements with major automakers in Detroit. Currently engaged with General Motors, they will soon move onto discussions with Stellantis next. The contract covering plants in Brampton, Windsor, and Etobicoke expires on September 20.

‘This is not how the story ends for Brampton,’ union says

Vito Beato, president of Unifor Local 1285, asserted that they will keep fighting to save jobs at the Brampton plant.

“To give up on workers now is the wrong move because these jobs are way too important to lose,” Beato stated.

“This is not how the story ends for Brampton. You can mark my words,” he added. “I look forward to discussing opportunities for our plant and a path back to vehicle production when we get to the bargaining table because closure is not an option.”

Unifor Local 1285 represents around 2,200 Unifor members at Brampton’s facility. While it’s currently idle, workers are receiving “income security,” replacing about 70 percent of their earnings according to an email from their union.

A statement from Shawn Bubel, spokesperson for Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton, emphasized that “the City stands firmly” alongside Unifor and its workforce at the assembly plant.

“The City has taken steps to protect future automotive manufacturing at this site by zoning land specifically for automotive production so it can’t simply be sold off for other uses,” Bubel explained.
“The City remains hopeful that a solution can be found which protects automotive production in Brampton and allows workers back into their roles as quickly as possible.”

Riyadh Nazerally from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada mentioned in a statement on Friday that efforts are underway by federal authorities aimed at safeguarding jobs within Brampton’s facility while keeping operations running within Canada.
“The government is actively engaging with both Stellantis and Unifor along with Ontario’s Province aiming towards securing production levels protecting employment while ensuring long-term investments remain in Canada,” Nazerally stated.

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