The long-anticipated revival of the third production shift at the Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant is now officially weeks away, a move set to inject approximately 1,500 jobs directly into the local workforce and thousands more throughout the supply chain.
Start Date and Economic Impact Confirmed
Unifor Local 444 President James Stewart confirmed to the Windsor Star that the shift is scheduled to begin on February 17, 2026. This addition will bring the total number of workers at the plant to around 6,000. Stewart emphasized the broader economic ripple effect, noting that parts suppliers and other local businesses tied to the plant are also hiring extensively.
"They may do a soft start ahead of time, but right now that’s the date," said Stewart. "This is very good news for Windsor, for our community... although there’s close to 1,400 or 1,500 here in Windsor Assembly, there’s another few thousand across the community being hired as a result of it."
Meeting Demand for Award-Winning Vehicles
Stellantis officials separately confirmed the third shift will start within "several weeks" to meet expected demand for its products, which include the Chrysler Pacifica, Grand Caravan, and Voyager minivans, as well as the Dodge Charger. The Dodge Charger was recently named the 2026 North American Car of the Year (NACTOY), a significant accolade for the Windsor-built vehicle.
Tim Kuniskis, head of American brands for Stellantis, celebrated the award and the plant's momentum at the Detroit Auto Show. "Windsor Assembly Plant has been an integral part of the company for a long time... And with the upcoming addition of a third shift to support anticipated demand — bringing roughly 1,500 jobs to the local economy — there’s real momentum here," Kuniskis stated.
A Fulfilled Bargaining Commitment and Historical Context
The return of the third shift fulfills a key commitment made by Stellantis during 2023 contract negotiations with Unifor. Stewart pointedly noted, "This is a direct result of our bargaining in 2023." The hiring process to staff the shift began in late October 2025.
The history of the third shift stretches back 35 years, with the first agreement between Chrysler and the Canadian Auto Workers (now Unifor) struck in May 1991. The shift was originally delayed due to a recession in the early 1990s and was ultimately eliminated in 2020. Its return marks a major recovery for the plant and the Windsor-Essex automotive sector.
In addition to the job growth, the plant continues to innovate its product line. The Windsor Assembly Plant builds both the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona Scatpack and new gas-powered "Sixpack" models. Furthermore, a refresh of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan is expected by late spring.
