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62-485: Brampton Assembly Plant is a Stellantis Canada automobile factory located at 2000 Williams Parkway East Brampton, Ontario , Canada. Originally built by American Motors Corporation (AMC) for US$ 260 million, in the former Bramalea area of Brampton, the manufacturing plant was specially designed for building the Eagle Premier . Its role since has primarily been to assemble full-sized Chrysler products. It

124-685: A "methodology that focuses on eliminating waste, increasing productivity, and improving quality and safety in a systematic and organized way." Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced in May 2019 plans for investments in new and existing assembly plants in Michigan "after intense political pressure in the U.S. to increase domestic manufacturing." This strategy could be an opportunity for Canadian parts suppliers, but also mean cuts in production at FCA's facilities in Ontario that include Brampton Assembly. Although there

186-459: A condition of the bailout, and that the deficit to the pension fund would prevent the CAW from striking. He estimated the total hourly cost of a GM Canada worker, including benefits, is $ 75 to $ 78, and saying that "they [GM] got six or seven." when it should have been cut by $ 20. DesRosiers also said giving up cost-of-living increases is not significant when inflation is nearly non-existent and added that

248-648: A far stronger bargaining position as compared to the UAW in the US, and, ultimately, brought about the events that led directly to the Split. Two of the main forces demanding the restructuring of management and Labour during this time were the rise of Japan as a major automotive force, and the general recession of the world economy in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Aided by the Auto Pact and the weakening Canadian dollar in relation to

310-567: A mix of U.S. Plymouth and Dodge parts for the Canadian and export markets. This practice allowed dealers in Canada to offer a wider array of vehicles at lower development cost in the relatively small Canadian market. For example, a Plymouth with a Dodge grille and taillights became a Dodge without the expense of tooling a vehicle for the market. On the Dodge Dart introduced in 1960, only

372-467: A transition to new "flexible architecture" for the company's electrification plans. Further changes were released that production of its new STLA Large platform cars will be in Windsor with Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger assembly ending at Brampton in 2024." The Brampton plant will then undergo retooling and modernizing to be "flexible, multi-energy vehicle assembly facilities" to "produce

434-566: A union best reflects their interest... At this point in time, we don't think they have anything to gain from a union", and described the defeat of the union drive saying "Our team members have recognized that a third party represents a complication they don't need." Despite this, however, the CAW supported Mordue as the Liberal candidate in the 2006 federal election instead of endorsing the NDP's Zoe Kunschner. Mordue attempted to take credit for bringing

496-406: A year, while maintaining vacation entitlements which range up to six weeks a year for high-seniority workers. The deal also introduced payments by members toward their health benefits - $ 30 monthly per family for workers and $ 15 a month for pensioners. Lewenza said it also would trim by 35 per cent company contributions to union-provided programs such as child care and wellness programs. Lewenza called

558-411: Is contingent on Canada being allocated 20% of GM's North American, and getting billions of dollars in federal and provincial taxpayer support, which Lewenza stressed will be loans. However, some suggested that this would not be the final time that automakers would request a bailout. Dennis DesRosiers estimated that GM will go through its government loans in a couple of quarters, long before any recovery in

620-539: Is still demand for the models produced by Brampton Assembly, "the market has gone really soft for cars, especially for sedans" and future FCA products may not use the platform currently made for the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger. As of 2021, the facility may see a new generation of the LX platform or be converted to making batteries for the automaker given its proximity to other Stellantis facilities. Because

682-726: Is strongly left leaning and it has traditionally been a strong supporter of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois . However, under former leader Buzz Hargrove , it began lending its support to the Liberal Party in ridings which the NDP were unlikely to win in the recent federal elections. The CAW has attempted several times, all unsuccessful, to organize Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada . TMMC Assistant General Manager and spokesman Greig Mordue stated "Our team members will decide whether or not

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744-733: The Canada–United States Automotive Products Agreement (the "Auto Pact") took practical effect in 1967, virtually all differences ceased to exist between U.S. and Canadian Chrysler products. However, until the early 2000s the model distribution within and among marques was sometimes different in Canada than in the U.S. The Dodge and Plymouth Neon was sold in Canada as the Chrysler Neon; the Dodge Dynasty and Intrepid were likewise both badged and sold as Chrysler models in Canada. In 2003 this practice

806-609: The Canadian Auto Workers ( CAW ), was one of Canada's largest labour unions. In 2013, it merged with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada , forming a new union, Unifor . While rooted in Ontario 's large auto plants of Windsor , Brampton , Oakville , St. Catharines , and Oshawa , the CAW has expanded and now incorporates workers in almost every sector of the economy. The presidents of

868-515: The Eagle Premier . The production line speed was initially about 400 cars per shift (54 jobs per hour) with only one shift scheduled. There were frequent layoffs at this new factory, while AMC's old Brampton plant, located at Kennedy Road, worked steadily to produce Jeep Wranglers . This facility was acquired (along with the rest of AMC) by Chrysler in August 1987. The factory was ranked top in Chrysler's 1988 quality audit of cars produced in each of

930-771: The SEIU and joined the CAW, prompting accusations of union raiding . A settlement was reached a year later that allowed the CAW to rejoin the national labour federation but relations with other unions such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters , the United Steel Workers of America and SEIU remain strained and the CAW remains outside of the Ontario Federation of Labour . The CAW's relationship with other unions has also been strained due to its different political direction. The CAW

992-498: The 40-hour reduction in paid time off merely means "five fewer spa days." University of Toronto professor Joe D'Cruz calculated that it would save $ 148 million a year, though GM is seeking $ 6 billion in Canadian government support. CAW autoworkers with seniority were able to maintain 10 weeks of vacation with full pay, while not contributing to their pension fund, relying instead on taxpayers (including these without pensions) to help make up their unfunded liabilities. The agreement

1054-548: The American 1960 DeSoto but used the upholstery and door panels from the 1960 Chrysler Saratoga . The Valiant was sold by both Dodge and Plymouth dealers as a separate make, as had been the original plan in the United States. 1960 to 1962 Canadian Valiants were substantially the same as American models, with minor trim and mechanical equipment differences. 1963-64 Canadian Valiants had U.S. Valiant front sheetmetal on

1116-633: The Big Three $ 900 million over three years. A spokesman for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has criticized the CAW's "no-concession" stance, saying that it only serves to strengthen the opposition to a taxpayer-funded bailout for the struggling Detroit Three automakers. The CTF further pointed out that "It is especially difficult to understand anyone asking for government help that refuses to do anything to help itself to begin with", since they "fail to realize they've existed at

1178-477: The Brampton plant for upgrades to the Chrysler 300 series, Dodge Magnum, and Dodge Charger, as well as a $ 500 million manufacturing investment to prepare for European-market LX platform product loading. On 16 August 2007, the one-millionth LX rear-wheel-drive vehicle platform rolled-off Brampton Assembly's production line. On 1 November 2007, Chrysler announced that it was ending the third shift in Brampton, with

1240-564: The CAW were Bob White (1985–1992), Buzz Hargrove (1992–2008), Ken Lewenza (2008–2013), and Jerry Dias (2013–2022) when the CAW became UNIFOR. The CAW began as the Canadian Region of the United Auto Workers (UAW). The UAW was founded in August 1935, and the Canadian Region of the UAW was established in 1937 following the 1937 GM Oshawa strike at General Motors 's Oshawa, Ontario plant. The Canadian Region of

1302-459: The CAW's 2006 convention. Industry analyst Anthony Faria has criticized the labour contracts that Canadian Auto Workers then-president Buzz Hargrove negotiated with the Big Three US automobile manufacturers in 2007, predicting that the subprime mortgage crisis and currency would hit Canadian auto production especially hard. Faria noted that UAW president Ron Gettelfinger agreed to have

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1364-400: The CAW. On March 31, 2009, the Canadian federal and Ontario governments jointly rejected the restructuring plans submitted by GM and Chrysler. This came a day after US President Barack Obama had rejected the plans of their parent companies. Both federal Industry Minister Tony Clement and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty suggested the CAW's initial deal was insufficient in cutting costs and

1426-689: The Canadian Association of Smelter and Allied Workers union (CASAW) Local 4 at the time of the strike, and merged into the CAW in May 1994.) In 1998, the CAW was deeply involved in discussions with Volvo Canada Ltd. and the Government of Nova Scotia over the closure of the Volvo Halifax Assembly plant. In 2000, the CAW was expelled from the Canadian Labour Congress when several union locals left

1488-546: The Canadian Auto Workers CAW President Bob White plays a major role in the 1985 documentary film: Final Offer by Sturla Gunnarsson & Robert Collision. It follows the 1984 contract negotiations with General Motors that saw the CAW's birth, and split with the UAW. It's an interesting look at life on the shop floor of a car factory, along with the art of business negotiation. The CAW Local 200 donated over $ 4 million towards

1550-583: The U.S. Dart body. 1965 Canadian Valiants were available in the full range of sizes and models offered across the American Valiant and Dart models, but all Canadian-market cars used Dart instrument clusters and were badged "Valiant". For 1966, the Valiant Barracuda was the only offering in Canada on the U.S. Valiant's 106 in (269.2 cm) wheelbase, with no Valiant station wagons in Canada for 1966. "Plodge" vehicles include: Once

1612-688: The UAW unionized the Ford Motor Company in 1945 after a major strike which established the right of Canadian labour union members to union dues checkoff. George Burt was the Canadian Director of the United Auto Workers (UAW) from 1939 to 1968. He is the longest-serving leader of the Canadian Union at 29 years. He pioneered many contractual issues that affected Canadian auto workers in the early years of

1674-428: The UAW's "all-in" wage, benefit and pension costs drop from a high of $ 75.86 per hour in 2007 to an average of about $ 51 per hour starting in 2010. By comparison, the CAW's cost per hour was $ 77 in 2007 and will rise to over $ 80 per hour by the end of the new contract. Faria said that Gettelfinger went into negotiations "with the right intention...Save jobs. The CAW strategy was to squeeze every dime out of them." Hargrove

1736-468: The UAW, led by Owen Bieber , because the American union was seen as giving away too much in the way of concessions during collective bargaining . Additionally, the UAW had been lobbying the US Congress to force the transfer of auto production from Canada to the US and the Canadian branch felt there was a lack of a representative voice during UAW's conventions. By 1985 the split from the American union

1798-550: The United States dollar, a geographic difference developed which provided some relief to many Canadian auto-workers. By December 1984, significant differences in the value of negotiated contracts, and divergent union objectives had set the stage for the creation of the CAW, a process documented in the Genie Award winning film, Final Offer . In 1984, the Canadian section of the UAW, under the leadership of Bob White and his assistants Buzz Hargrove and Bob Nickerson, broke from

1860-602: The automaker's plants. Production of the Chrysler LH platform cars began in June 1992 and continued with the updated LH cars in 1997. Production switched to the rear-wheel drive Chrysler LX platform cars in January 2004. The retooling for the LX platform was described as "a low-budget effort", as Chrysler was experiencing some hardships at the time. Robots in the body shop were hand-me-downs from other plants. The paint shop

1922-442: The company sold 232,688 vehicles in the Canadian market. In 2012, Stellantis Canada sales were 243,845, a 6% increase over 2011; this put the company into the #2 sales slot for Canada. FCA Canada was established in mid-June 1925, with 181 employees. 7,857 vehicles were produced in the first year. Plodge , a portmanteau of the names Pl ymouth and D odge , is a name informally used to refer to vehicles Chrysler Canada built with

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1984-458: The contract with Stellantis by the Canadian Auto Workers calls for Brampton Assembly to be retooled for the next-generation Jeep Compass that has been built in Toluca, Mexico. Stellantis is planning a US$ 970 million (1.32 billion Canadian-dollar) investment so that Brampton can build cars with internal combustion engines as well as battery-electric vehicles. Plans are for the plant to start building

2046-627: The electric vehicles of the future." During August 2023, Stellantis held an event for select visitors to provide a final tour of the Brampton Assembly Plant. This open house by invitation commemorated the "birthplace of automotive legends for decades" starting from 1986 and Chrysler's purchase of the factory in 1987. The facility will transform in 2024 with the production of flexible electrified automobile designs scheduled in 2025. Professional automotive journalists were able to order vehicles and see them being built. The ratification of

2108-471: The facility. The infrastructure builder EllisDon Construction completed the US$ 260 ;million (US$ 762,511,211 in 2023 dollars ) plant and associated buildings. The factory was opened by AMC in 1986 as "Bramalea Assembly", a state-of-the-art robotics -based assembly facility with 2,950,000 square feet (274,000 m) of floor space located on 269 acres (108.9 ha) specifically designed to produce

2170-590: The first Challenger SRT Hellcat (VIN #700001) rolled off the assembly line. It sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas auction for $ 825,000 to benefit Opportunity Village, a non-profit charity for those with intellectual disabilities in the Las Vegas area. Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, bought the 707-hp "pony car" for his collection. The plant earned "bronze status" in 2015 for its work in implementing "World Class Manufacturing" (WCM),

2232-524: The interiors were shared; Canadian-market 1960-61 Darts had Plymouth dashboards. The 1965 to 1966 Dodge Monaco used a Dodge body, with a Plymouth Fury dashboard and interior trim. Not all Canadian-market Chrysler-built vehicles were badge engineered in this manner, however; the DeSoto Diplomat , for example—a rebadged Dodge Dart—was never sold in Canada, where DeSotos were similar to the US models. The Canadian 1960 DeSoto Adventurer looked like

2294-531: The latter being forced into bankruptcy. Following its emergence from Chapter 11, Chrysler returned to profitability, repaying some of its government loans. The Canadian Auto Workers voted in October 2012 to merge with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada . The new merged union, Unifor , held its founding convention in August 2013. Canadian Directors of the UAW Presidents of

2356-795: The loss of 1,000 direct jobs, and declared that production of the Dodge Magnum in Brampton would end in early 2008. On 1 May 2009, both the Brampton Assembly and Windsor Assembly plants were shut down as a result of Chrysler 's bankruptcy protection filing on 30 April 2009, in the United States , affecting about 2,700 employees at the Brampton Assembly and 4,400 at the Windsor Assembly. A Chrysler parts plant in Etobicoke , Toronto operated until 10 May 2009, when it

2418-514: The market. Furthermore, GM Canada president Arturo Elias had admitted to MP Frank Valeriote that GM had pledged all its assets worldwide to the US government in order to secure the first tranche of a US$ 30 billion loan, leaving no assets to collateralize the $ 6 billion loan from the Canadian government . The Canadian Taxpayers' Federation noted that between 1982 and 2005, Ottawa handed out over $ 18.2 billion to corporations, of which only $ 7.1 billion

2480-554: The mine, which killed nine strikebreaking workers. Warren, a union member who had been fired from Royal Oak, testified that he was only capable of the bombing because strike-breakers had been "dehumanized" by the union and was sentenced to life in prison. However, these findings of liability were overturned on appeal by the Northwest Territories Court of Appeal and a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada

2542-475: The new Bramalea Assembly the Brampton Assembly. In June 1984, American Motors (AMC) established an agreement with the governments of Ontario and Canada to build a new assembly plant. Both the national and provincial governments loaned AMC CA$ 100 million each to build the CA$ 764 million facility. The agreement also included a royalty to the government equal to 1% of the sales price of every vehicle produced at

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2604-509: The new Jeep Compass on a single shift in the fourth quarter of 2025. The union agreement also includes the installation of air conditioning systems for the plant, a requirement that mandatory shift changes be announced by Wednesday of the week before the change, and also study the possibility of having day-care on-site. Total production through 2023 = 7,147,888 FCA Canada FCA Canada has three manufacturing plants in operation in Canada, and built 535,878 cars and trucks in 2002. In 2007,

2666-516: The new plant to Woodstock, but lost to Conservative incumbent Dave MacKenzie . The 2006 federal election saw the governing Liberals lose power, despite CAW support. Afterwards, the Ontario NDP voted to expel Hargrove for supporting the Liberals, which automatically suspended his membership in the federal party. The CAW retaliated by severing all union ties with the NDP, a move formalized at

2728-406: The package a "major sacrifice." However, observers noted that the deal did not go far enough; Dominion Bond Rating Service analyst Kam Hon described it as "not material." Automotive industry consultant Dennis DesRosiers said that General Motors had missed the chance to slash labour costs, pointing out that bankruptcy was a looming threat, Ottawa and Queen's Park demanded cuts to the labour bill as

2790-420: The past five years on the Big Three, saying "These have been a bottomless pit of requests for cash". Lewenza disagreed, saying that the bailout should be seen by Canadians as a loan that will be paid back when the country's economy is prosperous again. On December 20, the governments of Canada and Ontario offered $ 3.3 billion in loans to the auto industry. Under the plan GM was to receive $ 3 billion and Chrysler

2852-425: The property is in a rapidly expanding suburb of Toronto, the increasing traffic congestion impeeds shipments while the outright sale of the land would make it excellent for housing development. In 2022, Stellantis announced a $ 2.8 billion (3.6 billion Canadian dollars) investment, thus preserving the futures of its Canadian operations in Windsor and Brampton assembly plants. This includes Brampton Assembly Plant making

2914-549: The substantial largesse of taxpayers for decades". Kelly McParland, a columnist for the National Post , has suggested that "if he won't give anything, he and his members are likely to lose everything." He also said that the problem facing the North American auto industry was borne equally by management and labour alike, criticizing labour for building up pay and benefits for themselves that was as unsustainable as it

2976-514: The then-federal government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and such policies as the Goods and Services Tax and free trade . In the case Fullowka et al. v. Royal Oak Ventures Inc , held in the aftermath of an 18-month strike at Royal Oak Mines in Yellowknife, the CAW was originally held responsible for 22% of damages at trial, before CAW was successful on appeal. The trial judge found that

3038-416: The union breached its duty of care by doing nothing to stop illegal acts during the strike, paying fines and legal fees for striking miners, providing a person to assist the miners' union who prolonged the strike, and failing to bargain in good faith. At trial, the court ruled that the cumulative effect of these breaches of the duty of care were found to have materially contributed to Roger Warren 's bombing of

3100-437: The union had to return to the bargaining table to make further concessions. Both governments maintained that these were needed to make the business viable in order justify the use of taxpayers' money. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has asked that CAW wages be reduced to the levels of non-unionized workers from Honda and Toyota operating in Canada, or else they would walk away from the proposed alliance with Chrysler , resulting in

3162-441: The union movement. The reasons for the CAW split from the UAW are complicated. Holmes and Rusonik (1990) contend that although the Canadian labour movement has been seen as traditionally more militant than its American counterpart, it was in fact the uneven geographical development of both management and labour led the Canadian auto-workers to develop a distinctly different set of collective bargaining objectives, which placed them in

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3224-438: Was 2,871 (2,733 hourly; 138 salaried), working two shifts. In 2012, employees at the Chrysler factories in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario ratified the CAW's labor agreement by an overwhelming majority, without any information from the automaker about plans for new products or investment at either plant. As of December 2012, the Brampton Assembly Plant is the single largest employer in Canada's 11th largest city. On 19 August 2014,

3286-416: Was closed down for 30 to 60 days, affecting 300 employees, while the company through restructuring under court-ordered creditor protection. After the reorganization, Chrysler announced the launch of new models of the 300 and Charger to be produced in the Brampton assembly plant, beginning in 2010. The factory began production of the redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300 in January 2011. At this time, total employment

3348-656: Was complete and Bob White was acclaimed as the first President of the CAW. He served three terms as president. . After separation, the CAW began to grow quickly in size and stature. It merged with a number of smaller unions to double in size and become the largest private sector union in the country. Most notable were the mergers with the Fishermen, Food, and Allied Workers and the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway Transport and General Workers (see CAW National Council 4000 . The CAW also voiced strong opposition to

3410-430: Was dismissed. Furthermore, CAW members Al Shearing and Tim Bettger were sentenced to two and a half and three years in prison, respectively. Both were convicted of painting anti- scab graffiti and setting an explosion in a ventilation shaft on June 29, 1992. Bettger was sentenced to an additional six months in prison for blowing a hole in a television satellite dish September 1 of that year. (The unioned miners were part of

3472-564: Was enviable, while attacking management for its short-term strategy of selling gas-guzzling trucks and sales tactics (price cuts, rebates, free gas and cash-back schemes). The CTF has opposed the proposed CAD $ 3.5 billion bailout for Canadian subsidiaries of the Big Three, saying that it was an unfair financial burden on the average Canadian, as well as another excuse for the Detroit automakers to postpone much needed change. The CTF noted that federal and provincial governments spent $ 782-million in

3534-448: Was originally opened as the "Bramalea Assembly" under American Motors. At the time, AMC had another facility that was known as " Brampton Assembly " which was located at Kennedy Road/Steeles Avenue in Brampton. It had been built and operated from 1961 until 1992 under American Motors and later Chrysler, assembling American Motors and Jeep vehicles. As the previous facility was shut down and sold off for warehouse use in 1992, Chrysler called

3596-636: Was repayable, and only $ 1.3 billion was ever repaid. Chrysler vice-chairman and president Thomas W. LaSorda (himself the son of a CAW official) and Ford's chief of manufacturing Joe Hinrichs said that the GM-CAW deal was insufficient, suggesting that they would break the CAW's negotiating pattern set by GM. LaSorda told the House of Commons of Canada finance committee that he would demand an hourly wage cut of $ 20, suggested that Chrysler may withdraw from Canada if it fails to achieve more substantial cost savings from

3658-500: Was said to be the oldest FiatChrysler had in North America at that time. The attached "Brampton Satellite Stamping", which opened in 1991, was built for the launch of the Chrysler LH platform . At that time, Brampton Assembly operated with three shifts of production. It is the city of Brampton's largest employer, with over 4,200 people working there. On 19 July 2007, Chrysler Group announced an investment of US$ 1.2 billion in

3720-443: Was said to have "instilled backbone and an attitude that the union could always make the auto makers buckle at the bargaining table". Current union president Ken Lewenza has argued that labour is not responsible for the bankruptcy crisis facing the Big Three automakers, saying that his members would not make concessions part of any taxpayer-funded bailout. Lawenza argued that the CAW agreed in 2007 to make concessions that will save

3782-835: Was stopped and the U.S. and Canadian marque and model ranges are fully aligned. Historically, Stellantis Canada sold vehicles under the Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler, DeSoto, Valiant, and Imperial marques . Presently there are four marques: Dodge, Ram, Jeep, and Chrysler. Dodge is the mainstream car and van line, Jeep is the main SUV range, Chrysler is the premium line, and Ram is the range of trucks and truck-based SUVs. Stellantis Canada has other operations in Canada: Canadian Auto Workers The National Automobile, Aerospace, Transportation and General Workers Union of Canada , commonly known as

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3844-487: Was to receive the rest. Ford only asked for a line of credit but did not be participating in the bailout. The CAW negotiated a cost-cutting deal with General Motors Canada on March 8, 2009. The deal would extend the current contract for an additional year to September 2012, and preserves the current average assembly-worker base pay of about $ 34 an hour. It would eliminate a $ 1,700 annual "special bonus," and reduce special paid absences or "SPA days" from two weeks to one week

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