United Auto Workers Local 212 claimed Stellantis is under contract to use the Ambassador Bridge.
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The head of Stellantis Canada was non-committal Tuesday about whether the company plans to use the recently opened Gordie Howe International Bridge to send parts and vehicles across the border.
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The United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 212 claimed in a recent Facebook post that Stellantis is under contract to use the privately owned Ambassador Bridge, and company drivers will be “disciplined” for crossing the new public bridge.
When asked Tuesday if the company has a contract with the Ambassador Bridge, Stellantis Canada President and CEO Trevor Longley told reporters in Windsor, “I don’t have the information myself.”
“What I would say, it’s been a rough start in terms of the Gordie Howe bridge, in terms of when it’s going to open, when it’s not going to open,” he said. “We’re managing our way through these things. And ultimately, we’ll find the steady state that makes the most sense for our business.”
The UAW’s July 31 Facebook post, which has since been removed, stated “DO NOT USE THE GORDIE HOWE BRIDGE” in large red letters.
“This information is specific to FCA Transport Drivers,” the union stated. “This is a message to my membership, who can get disciplined if using the bridge in our company semi trucks.”
The UAW said Stellantis is “under a contract with the Ambassador Bridge” that gives the auto company a flat rate of $160,000 per month, regardless of how many crossings its trucks make.
“Before this contract, we were paying north of $400,000 per month on a per-crossing basis,” the union said.
The message also stated that if Stellantis decided to use the Gordie Howe bridge, it would have to give the Ambassador Bridge owners a 60-day notice of intention to terminate the contract.
“Until that process happens, do not use the Gordie Howe bridge,” the message stated.
Longley, in Windsor for an event at the company’s Automotive Research & Development Centre, did not confirm if Stellantis has a contract with the Ambassador Bridge or if it plans to use the Gordie Howe bridge.