Stellantis will idle its Windsor Assembly Plant for three more weeks starting later this month, leaving more than 6,000 workers without a paycheck for the second time this quarter.
The automaker and Unifor, the union representing plant employees, confirmed the additional shutdown Friday. Workers already sat idle for two weeks earlier this month.
Company officials blame softening consumer demand combined with tariff pressures for the production halt. The Windsor facility, a critical piece of Stellantis’ North American manufacturing footprint, builds minivans for the North American market.
Union leaders received notice of the extended layoff Friday morning, according to CBC Windsor. The affected workers will receive employment insurance benefits during the stoppage, though those payments typically cover only a fraction of regular wages.
The back-to-back shutdowns signal deepening trouble for Canada’s automotive sector. Tariff uncertainty has rippled through supply chains for months, while vehicle affordability concerns continue to cool buyer appetite.
Meanwhile, Stellantis has not announced any changes to the plant’s long-term production schedule. A return-to-work date hinges on inventory levels and market conditions during the three-week pause.
Provincial and federal officials have so far offered no emergency support package for affected workers. The layoffs arrive as Windsor’s regional economy navigates broader manufacturing headwinds across the auto corridor.
