Stellantis hiring 1,400 for third shift at Windsor plant

Stellantis is hiring 1,400 people as the third shift is set to return. CTV Windsor’s Stefanie Masotti has more.

Stellantis is in the process of hiring 1,400 workers for the return of the third shift at Windsor Assembly Plant, despite the ongoing trade war with the U.S.

“It’s a good news story in the auto industry,” said James Stewart, Unifor Local 444 president. “It’s probably the only good news story in Canada today.”

It’s been five-years since the third shift was eliminated. It’s scheduled to reopen in mid-February to support increased demand of all versions of the Chrysler Pacifica and the new SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack and R/T models.

“Windsor is an anomaly in the auto industry,” said Stewart. “The facts are we build two strong products in both isolations. We’re the only plant that builds them. So, for the short term and the near future, Windsor is in good shape.”

But local applicants won’t get first pick. Recently laid off workers from the Brampton plant will have the opportunity to transfer after Stellantis announced it’s moving its Jeep Compass production to Illinois.

“According to our collective agreement, they have the first opportunity to come and fill those spots,” explained Stewart. “We don’t know how many will come. I don’t expect it will be huge. That’s a big move for people from the Greater Toronto Area to the Windsor area, four hours away.

Stewart says 3,000 people applied for the shift 1.5 years ago. For positions not filled by Brampton employees, Stellantis will look at those applicants first before opening it up to the public.

Despite hiring underway, Stewart says we need to continue to fight for the auto industry

“You have to bargain in a way that use the leverage of our critical minerals, our oil and gas, our steel, aluminum,” he said. “Bargain with the idea that there’s leverage there to protect the auto industry, to protect softwood lumber.”

Production on the third shift is scheduled to begin mid-February of next year.