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Workers at NextStar Energy battery factory approved a new three-year collective agreement last week, voting in favour of the new deal reached between the union and the company.
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The deal makes what Unifor Local 444 calls “significant gains” that include wage increases, improved benefits and signing bonuses, according to a social media post from the union.
This is a “well-deserved agreement for our NextStar Energy members,” the union posted, saying additional gains include “annual inflation protection bonuses, maintained performance bonuses, enhanced skilled trades compensation improved pension contributions and meaningful workplace and language improvements that will benefit our membership for years to come.”
NextStar chief operating officer Brett Hillock said in a statement the collective agreement signals stability for NextStar’s long-term presence as “both a world-class facility, and as Canada’s first and only large-scale battery manufacturer.”
“This clearly demonstrates the power of collaboration and the company’s investment in the future of Canadian manufacturing here in Windsor,” he said. “We’re deeply grateful for Unifor’s ongoing commitment, collaboration and partnership as we move forward.”
In June, NextStar Energy announced the addition of a new battery pack manufacturing line at its Windsor facility. The expansion added a third production stage to the site’s existing cell and module operations.
NextStar Energy, a subsidiary of LG Energy Solution, is Canada’s only commercial-scale battery manufacturing facility. The $6-billion plant began commercial cell production in November 2025 and hit the milestone of one million cells produced in February.