Skip to content

Unifor Local 444 says Stellantis vaccine mandate to end after arbitrator ruling

20220620120624-62b09f598dfcf028d49e36cfjpeg
The Stellantis sign is seen outside the Chrysler Technology Center, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Auburn Hills, Mich. Unifor Local 444 says an arbitrator has ruled that Stellantis Canada must lift its mandatory vaccine policy. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

WINDSOR, Ont. — Unifor Local 444 says an arbitrator has ruled that Stellantis Canada's mandatory vaccine policy will have to end.   

The union representing workers at the automaker's Windsor and Brampton, Ont. plants had challenged the mandate that Stellantis announced on Oct. 15, 2021.

It says that while the arbitrator ruled the policy was reasonable when put in place, and remains reasonable, new variants of COVID-19 and other factors make the policy unreasonable as of June 25.

Local president Dave Cassidy said in a video message to members that the union would be working with the company on a return to work plan for those who have not been able to work because they had not been vaccinated. 

Stellantis spokeswoman LouAnn Gosselin said in a statement that the company was pleased that the arbitrator decided the vaccine policy is reasonable. 

She says the company takes seriously its obligation to provide a safe working environment for its more than 9,000 employees in Canada and is carefully reviewing the decision before deciding next steps.  

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2022.

The Canadian Press


Looking for National Business News?

VillageReport.ca viewed on a mobile phone

Check out Village Report - the news that matters most to Canada, updated throughout the day.  Or, subscribe to Village Report's free daily newsletter: a compilation of the news you need to know, sent to your inbox at 6AM.

Subscribe