Some workers at Stellantis’ Brampton assembly plant are considering moving to Windsor, Ontario, after the company’s recent announcement that the Jeep Compass model will be produced in Illinois instead of Brampton. The return of a third shift at Stellantis’ Windsor plant in early 2026 provides an opportunity for Brampton employees to transfer. Chris Vicars, who has been working at the Brampton plant since 2005, decided to relocate to Windsor during the week and visit Brampton on weekends after discussing the move with his family.
Vicars mentioned that the decision was tough due to his pension considerations, as he has nine years left to collect his full pension. He expressed concerns about missing out on spending time with his family, especially his daughters, aged 12 and 14. Despite the challenges, Vicars plans to live with relatives in Windsor during the week to save on living expenses.
Before the temporary closure in early 2024 for facility retooling, Brampton’s Stellantis plant employed around 3,000 workers. The retooling aimed to accommodate the production of the new Jeep Compass model but was paused in February due to U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles. Vicars highlighted the lack of transparency from the company, expressing frustration over the uncertainty faced by employees for the past two years.
The option for Brampton workers to transfer to Windsor is included in the collective agreement between Stellantis and Unifor, the union representing Canadian Stellantis workers. James Stewart, president of Unifor local 444, mentioned that the addition of a third shift in Windsor presents opportunities for employees who have been off work for 21 months.
Stewart estimated that approximately 2,500 unionized employees in Brampton are eligible for a transfer, although not all may opt to move. He emphasized that there will still be job opportunities in Windsor, especially with the recent $13-billion investment by Stellantis in the U.S. and the expansion of operations.
Despite the transfer option, the president of Unifor local 1285 criticized Stellantis for its minimal communication with employees and emphasized the importance of a commitment to Brampton. The lack of clarity from the company regarding its plans for Brampton has raised concerns among union representatives and employees.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly warned of potential legal action against Stellantis to ensure compliance with its obligations to Canadian employees. The government’s previous agreement with Stellantis for the Nextstar EV battery plant in Windsor was tied to production commitments in Brampton.
Vicars expressed skepticism about the company’s promises for Brampton and the potential loss of plant seniority by transferring back. Despite the challenges, he stated his willingness to return to Brampton for the sake of family and hard work.
