Canadian autoworkers union Unifor has scheduled a strike authorization vote for employees at the maker of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram.

Negotiations between the Toronto-based labor union and Stellantis NV have been at an impasse for almost a month after the transatlantic automaker disclosed it has a tentative agreement to sell its idled Brampton Assembly Plant to defense manufacturer Roshel Inc. The vote will take place Oct. 17-18 with results expected on Oct. 19. Strike approval would allow the bargaining committee to call for a strike, not automatically issue one.

Unifor President Lana Payne, in a letter to members on Tuesday, Oct. 6, said the stalemate is over the future of the 3 million-square-foot plant outside Toronto as well as the core economic pattern being conditional on an agreement to close and sell the plant.

"To be clear, the unresolved issues with the company extend well beyond the future of the Brampton Assembly Plant," Payne wrote. "They relate to the broader job security of all union members and the future of Stellantis operations across Canada. Strike action remains a last resort, but the ability to strike is an important part of collective bargaining and can help create the conditions for an agreement."

Stellantis in a statement characterized the vote as the "next step in the collective bargaining process."

“Stellantis remains committed to bargaining in good faith," spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin said in a statement, "and is prepared to continue discussions toward a negotiated agreement that recognizes the contributions of our employees while supporting the long-term competitiveness of our Canadian operations.”

A strike could be a blow to Stellantis amid a company transformation to revitalize sales and launch new products. In addition to Brampton, Windsor Assembly Plant produces Chrysler minivans and the Dodge Charger. The plant has experienced downtime in recent weeks and is expected to be shut down again for another three weeks starting later this month amid shifting demand and the negotiations standoff. The company also has a casting plant in the country.

A walkout additionally would be a hit to Canada's manufacturing sector amid a trade war with the United States as the countries review the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

Brampton most recently made the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger sedans before production ended in late 2023. Workers and union officials had been awaiting the retooling and reopening of the plant to build a next-generation Jeep Compass last year, but that never happened as the company switched up its North American product strategy amid high U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. Still, Unifor said it was assured by the company that Stellantis planned to invest in new programs for the plant.

Unifor already has reached new three-year deals with General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. Stellantis' previous contract with Unifor expired on Sept. 20.

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