L4P Brampton Assembly Plant - Stellantis Roshel - Statement

Members of the Labour for Palestine GTA Chapter and Unifor Caucus affirm our solidarity with members of Unifor Local 1285, representing workers at the Stellantis Brampton Assembly Plant. We are in unwavering opposition to the proposed sale of the plant to Roshel Defense Systems, a company owned by Roman Shimonov, a former member of the Israeli Defence Forces.

Roshel is no stranger to controversy. US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed orders for armoured vehicles to reinforce its terror campaign against its own population. The company is well connected with the Israeli defence and private security industries, including Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Malca Amit. They’ve lobbied for permits to export armoured vehicles for police use in Israel during the current genocide.

Stellantis has already abandoned promises made to the provincial government and to Unifor that it would return automotive production to the plant, placing thousands of workers in jeopardy. Recently it was revealed the auto manufacturer has been in secret talks with Roshel about selling the plant. There is also reason to believe the federal government has been involved in the discussion without consultation from Unifor.

In short, Roshel seeks to capitalize on the US-Canada trade war to grab up industrial assets and sideline unionized workers.

Brampton Assembly Plant workers did not sign up for this. They signed up to build cars and trucks for other working people. They did not sign up to build vehicles that will be used to imprison, harm, or kill other workers.

Unifor leadership has rightly condemned the secret negotiations and called on the federal government to intercede. Labour for Palestine concurs and calls for a return to work for those affected and for the plant to be returned to peaceful production.