Canadian union Unifor ends strike after reaching tentative agreement with Stellantis

Oct 30 (Reuters) – Canadian union Unifor called off a brief strike that began early on Monday after reaching a tentative agreement with Stellantis (STLAM.MI) on a new labor contract for more than 8,200 workers.

The union had begun strikes at all Stellantis plants in the country when talks over a new deal hit a snag despite a deadline to strike at midnight on Sunday.

A prolonged strike would have affected production of some popular vehicles such as the Dodge Charger and Challenger, which are made at the Brampton assembly plant.

North American union members are demanding higher wages, a better work-life balance and career advancement opportunities. Unifor’s negotiating team had prioritized discussions about helping its workers transition to electric vehicles at its Brampton plant.

“A tentative agreement has been reached with Stellantis to end strike action at all Unifor facilities,” Unifor said in an emailed statement, without providing further details. Stellantis could not immediately be reached for comment.

Unifor’s talks in Canada are independent of the United Auto Workers (UAW) negotiations in the United States. The UAW and Stellantis reached a tentative agreement on a new employment contract on Saturday.

Unifor used a “model bargaining” approach in its discussions with automakers in Canada, achieving ratified contracts first with Ford (FN) and then with General Motors (GM.N).

The agreement with GM came shortly after the strike by 4,300 workers at three GM plants in Canada, while the agreement with Ford preceded a threatened strike.

The Canadian branches of the Detroit Three are much smaller than their US branches, but all have major factories in Canada.

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