Unifor: Brampton gets Jeep Compass, Windsor first in line for Dodge muscle cars

Stellantis NV's Brampton Assembly Plant outside Toronto will build the next-generation Jeep Compass, and its Windsor Assembly Plant is first in line for the new Dodge muscle cars, according to ratification for the Canadian autoworkers union.

Unifor locals representing 8,200 members at Stellantis this weekend and on Monday are voting on whether to ratify a new three-year agreement with the transatlantic automaker that commits $2.37 billion (3.24 billion Canadian dollars) in investments into the company's Canadian operations as well as offers gains to wage, pensions and other benefits.

Stellantis previously said it was investing $2.6 billion (3.6 billion Canadian dollars) to retool the Brampton and Windsor plants in Ontario as well as build a new battery lab in Windsor.

According to the tentative labor agreement, Stellantis is investing $1.38 billion (1.89 billion Canadian dollars) into Windsor Assembly Plant for the STLA Large architecture that would offer the ability to build plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. The company will recognize Windsor as the lead plant to continue production of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which already is available as a plug-in hybrid, and the next generation of Dodge muscle car. The company ends production of the Dodge Charger and Challenger as they have been known at the end of the year. The all-electric Dodge Charger is expected to launch in mid-2024.

Unifor says the plan represents 4,700 secured and new jobs by 2025, which would return the plant to a three-shift operation. The plant currently employs 3,385 hourly workers on two shifts, according to Stellantis' website.

With production of the Dodges as well as the Chrysler 300 sedan ending at the end of December, Brampton will be retooled for the Jeep Compass crossover, which has been built in Toluca, Mexico. The $970 million (1.32 billion Canadian-dollar) investment would allow the plant to build internal combustion engine and battery-electric vehicles off the STLA Medium platform.

The company also would insource stamping and welding operations in a new tandem line and battery building processes. There will be new underbody and paint as well as refurbished systems.

The plan is expected to result in 2,370 secured and new jobs by the end of 2026. First shift will return in the fourth quarter of 2025, second shift in the first quarter of 2026 and third shift in the third quarter of 2026.

The company also is investing $23 million (32 million Canadian dollars) into Etobicoke Casting Plant. That includes insourcing oil pans and front covers and transitioning for the first time into electrification with battery tray cast beams. The investment will result in 275 secured or new jobs by 2026.

Stellantis has agreed to a moratorium on facility closures, as well.

The tentative agreement also includes close to 16% in general wage increases over the three years, the return of cost-of-living adjustments next year and a shorter timeline to the top wage. The deal was reached on Monday following a national strike that lasted roughly seven hours.

Unifor members employed by Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. already have ratified agreements after which the Stellantis deal was patterned.

bnoble@detroitnews.com

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