Mixed feelings as auto workers at Stellantis' Windsor Assembly Plant face reduced hours

Some auto workers at the Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant are expressing mixed feelings about a new production schedule that will see the plant switch between full-production, reduced shifts and full shut-downs for the next 12 weeks.

The change comes amid a period of uncertainty for the North American auto industry as companies navigate the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Canadian auto sector – though Stellantis has not attributed the schedule changes to the trade war.

One worker at the Windsor plant told CBC News it will be nice to have some time off during the summer, but it will be tough to forgo the pay.

"It's nice to know that we have some work coming," Derek Gungle said. 

"But at the same time, I know a lot of folks – they rely on having at least a 40-hour paycheck. And having any reduction in these things – I mean, some of these folks aren't gonna be able to pay their bills coming up."

Another worker who has been in the auto sector for 40 years said he is happy to be able to plan for the coming weeks, knowing there is work coming.

Veteran employee worries about new hires

Paul Lachance is used to riding out periods of uncertainty after enduring the ones that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 financial crisis, he said.

"It's those new hires that I'm worried about," he added, "the ones who just started that maybe [they think], 'OK, I got a good job. Now let's look at a new vehicle or just buy a new house, just start a new family.'"

The Windsor Assembly Plant employs approximately 4,500 people.

People on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border have been closely watching the North American automakers to see how the United States' trade war with Canada impacts jobs and production.

U.S. President Donald Trump slapped a 25 per cent tariff on all imported vehicles in early April, resulting in an immediate two-week shutdown at the Stellantis plant.

Since then, tariffs on imported auto parts have also gone into effect – though they do not apply to parts compliant with the Canada U.S. Mexico free trade agreement (CUSMA). 

Trump recently announced some relief to auto manufacturers in the form of credits of up to 15 per cent of the value of vehicles assembled domestically and a pledge not to hit auto makers with stacked tariffs on vehicle components, such steel and aluminum.

A spokesperson for Stellantis confirmed to CBC News on Tuesday that it had provided employees with a new production schedule.

But Lou Ann Gosselin did not mention the tariffs in an email to CBC News about it. 

Instead, she said the changes are associated with the changeover in production year.

"These modifications are necessary as we complete the 2025 model year build and prepare for the launch of the 2026 model year Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Voyager/Grand Caravan and Dodge Charger," Gosselin said. 

"We will continue to monitor the situation."

But the president of the union representing workers at the plant said it would be naive to assume that the new schedule wasn't impacted by the tariffs. 

"We know that this is absolutely about tariffs," said James Stewart.

"The constant changing, the pausing, the on-again-off-again, the lack of clarity around them, the confusion around them, the pain that it's causing these suppliers. There's not any confidence, consumer confidence, both in the U.S. and Canada based on what he's doing."

Local 444 has told its members to expect "alternate and fluctuating work schedules" for the next 12 weeks.

It posted the following schedule on its Facebook page:

• Week of May 12, May 19 and June 30:  Two shifts running.

• Week of May 26, June 9 and June 23: only shift one working.

• Week of June 2, June 16 and July 7: only shift two working.

• Week of July 14: production down.

• Weeks of Aug. 18 and 25: planned summer shutdown.

The reduced work schedule came as no surprise to workers, Stewart said.

One auto industry forecaster said tariffs aren't the only reason for the production slow-down.

Stellantis is also reprioritizing production back toward internal combustion engines and away from electric vehicles, said Sam Fiorani, the vice president of global vehicle forecasting at Auto Forecast Solutions. 

But tariffs are "part of the problem," he said.

Third shift delayed

Automakers don't want too many vehicles sitting on dealer lots, and they don't want to produce too many vehicles under tariff conditions in case tariffs are subsequently lifted.

They're reluctant to speak about tariffs too much while negotiations between the countries are underway, Fiorani said. 

In addition to reducing the production schedule, Stellantis has also informed the union that it has postponed plans to add a third shift at the Windsor plant in the second half of 2025, the union said on Facebook.

Those plans are delayed until 2026.

Gosselin told CBC News, "It remains our intention to return the Windsor Assembly Plant to a three-shift operation. However that action will not take place in 2025 based on current market conditions."

Stewart said the company has not signaled any intention to move remaining production out of Canada.

"So, you know, that's a good sign," he said.