Joseph Jacildo spent 28 years working at a Brampton, Ont., plant assembling vehicles. His family joined him in this endeavor, with his wife, three daughters, and their partners all becoming part of the assembly line team. Recently, all eight autoworkers, including Jacildo’s 10 grandchildren, made a significant move 350 kilometers southwest to Windsor to continue their vehicle assembly work for Stellantis.
The Brampton plant, where they previously worked, has been inactive for over two years, leaving the Jacildo family and 3,000 other employees uncertain about their future. Originally, the plant had paused operations for retooling to produce new gas and electric vehicles, but this plan was subsequently delayed. The company is currently embroiled in a dispute with the government over funding received and has not disclosed any plans for the facility.
Facing uncertainty, the Jacildos accepted an offer to transfer to Stellantis’s Windsor Assembly Plant. Joseph and his daughter, Jasmine Jacildo, reflected on their move while sitting in Jasmine’s Windsor apartment. Despite the challenges, they viewed the relocation as a necessary step to secure their livelihoods in the auto industry.
Jasmine expressed mixed emotions about leaving their Brampton home, which they had purchased just a year before. She emphasized the importance of job security and the unpredictability of the auto industry, making their relocation essential for their family’s future stability.
The Jacildos were part of a group of workers who transferred to Stellantis’s Windsor facility, which recently added a third shift. The union representing the workers, Unifor, played a crucial role in supporting the Brampton plant employees during this transition, ensuring financial assistance for laid-off workers.
While grateful for the assistance, Jasmine believed more could have been done to retain jobs in Brampton. Despite the challenges, the Jacildo family is optimistic about their future in Windsor, appreciating the warm reception from their new colleagues. Joseph, contemplating retirement in the coming years, found solace in the camaraderie and support of their new work environment.
The family continues to adapt to their new surroundings in Windsor, recognizing the advantages of moving together as a unit. They remain hopeful for a stable future in the auto industry.
