Members of Unifor ratified a new three-year labor contract with Fiat Chrysler that includes a $1.2 billion investment that expected to lead to 2,000 additional jobs FCA Windsor Assembly plant as well as new work for the company assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, and a casting plant Etobicoke, Ontario.
The contract covers more than 9,000 Unifor members employed by FCA in Canada.
“This agreement solidifies and builds on FCA’s footprint, with a game-changing investment of up to $1.2 billion for a state-of-the-art platform to build both plug–in hybrid vehicles and battery-electric vehicles, along with a $40 million investment to bring multiple derivatives of the Dodge Charger and Challenger to the Brampton plant where production of the Chrysler 300 is being extended,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
(FCA, Unifor reach agreement on new deal, averting strike.)
“The commitments we have secured in these negotiations will stabilize FCA’s operations in Canada and position us as a global leader in the transition to zero emission vehicle production.”
Fiat Chrysler forecasts the return of the third shift in Windsor by 2024, adding as many as 2,000 jobs along with $14 million investment at the Etobicoke Casting Plant, and a 22% increase in the hourly workforce where the work force had dwindled to 100 from 500 in the past four years.
“Workers who have feared plant closures and job losses in recent years can now look forward to a bright future with good jobs for years to come,” said Dias.
FCA, in a separate statement, confirmed the basic content of the contract and said they expected both the Ontario provincial government and Canada federal government to help finance the renovation in Windsor, which will turn the plant into a hub of EV production, matching those at new EV plant under development by General Motors and Ford on the other side of the Detroit River in the U.S.
(Unifor vows to fight FCA plan to cut third shift in Windsor.)
“FCA has maintained a strong footprint in Canada for nearly a century. Over the last decade, we have invested over $4 billion in our Canadian manufacturing facilities, more than any other OEM in the country and it is our intention to maintain this leadership,” said Mark Stewart, chief operating officer, FCA North America.
“This agreement bolsters our global competitiveness and positions us for future growth with new product investment and new jobs, while also demonstrating our commitment to our employees, their families and the communities we represent,” he added.
Stewart said working in collaboration with Unifor, as well as both the federal and provincial governments, FCA has committed to install a new multi-energy vehicle architecture, including plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicle capability, and at least one new model on that architecture at its Windsor Assembly Plant.
(Unifor members ratify new Ford labor pact.)
The additional investments Brampton Assembly, which will produce three new variants of the popular Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger muscle cars, in addition to continuing production of the Chrysler 300, while Etobicoke Casting Plant will receive two new products FCA’s transport operation also will receive $14.3 million in equipment upgrades, FCA said.
