Unifor Local 444 members prepare for possible strike action

Unifor Local 444 members were at the union hall on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, preparing for a possible strike action that could begin Monday if a deal is not reached by 11:59 p.m. Sunday. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Unifor Local 444 members are preparing for strike action should a deal not be reached between Stellantis and the union by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.

On Friday, union officials said negotiations continue with the bargaining committee in Toronto, while picket signs were being constructed at the union hall in Windsor.

“We’re preparing for something we hopefully don’t have to use,” said strike coordinator Shawn Bezaire. “Hopefully, we can walk out with a good, fair contract.”

Picket duty schedules for more than 4,400 members were also being prepared in the event a deal cannot be reached.

“We’re willing to pull out, withdraw our labour if they can’t meet or get the demands we’re looking for,” Bezaire explained.

According to Bezaire, even though extensive retooling is taking place, Local 444 will picket outside the Windsor Assembly Plant should a deal not be reached after the Sunday night deadline.

Members will also be set up outside Stellantis’ Automotive Research and Development Centre on Rhodes Drive.

“We’ve been talking about bargaining since early August and here we are in November,” he said.

Bezaire noted members are trying to stay positive knowing there is a chance a strike could happen, saying the last time that took place was in the 1980’s.

“It’s a high anxiety time right now, uncertain times and it’s uncomfortable, but to all our members, stay positive and have faith in our bargaining team,” he said.

Bezaire said they hope the community has their backs, adding he is optimistic the pattern set by Ford and General Motors will be followed and a deal will be achieved.

“The future in Windsor is going to be excellent with the battery plant coming in and with the retooling in our facility, and the footprint is growing in the city of Windsor, so it's awesome, it's good for the community,” said Bezaire.

CONTRACT HURDLES

When it comes to demands in contract talks, Unifor released a bargaining update on Wednesday outlining the items it was still seeking progress on from Stellantis:

• Commuted value pension option.
• DB pension increases to match GM settlement ($5.60 for benefit codes A-C and $6.60 for benefit code D).
• 110 language for vehicle assembly.
• Protection of permanent employment levels at Fire / Security and Office, Clerical and Engineering units.
• Protections against outsourcing at Parts Distribution Centres.
• Extension of bargaining rights to the NextStar Battery Plant.

For Greg Layson, an editor with Automotive News Canada, the deadline day dance is an all-too-common scene.

“I think they’re at where Ford was at, where GM was at, coming down to the wire as they always do, nitpicking over local issues as they always do,” said Layson.

He pointed to Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy’s comments about his membership’s displeasure with the pattern deals set in auto talks this year as one of the wrinkles in negotiations between the union and Stellantis.

Layson believes the push to unionize the workforce at the future NextStar Battery Plant being built in Windsor looms large over the talk at the table.

“If [Cassidy] can convince Stellantis to convince LG to roll that into this contract and unionize that shop, it effectively gives every employee in Windsor the opportunity to bid on jobs at two different places and that might be enough to push the ratification vote beyond 50 per cent,” said Layson.

Talks often hinge on future product placement, but the Windsor Assembly Plant is already undergoing retooling, so that aspect of talks may already be settled.

“Something new is going in there and it’s probably not going to be cancelled,” said Layson.

As for the quickly approaching union-set deadline for a tentative deal, Layson believes while a strike isn’t out of the realm of possibility, it likely wouldn’t be incredibly effective labour action.

“I think it would be short-lived,” said Layson. “What are they striking? They’re going to strike Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant where they’re not making minivans anyways because it’s down for retooling.”

Unifor describes negotiations as being at a “crucial stage” as the union aims to position its labour force best for the expected future of electric vehicle manufacturing.

Although a strike may prove less fruitful than hoped.

“Stellantis could effectively leave them out on the picket line for a while because if they’re not making anything now they’re not making anything next week anyway,” said Layson.

Both three-year deals with Ford and GM have been ratified; the Ford deal with 54 per cent in favour and the GM agreement with 80.5 per cent support.