Joseph Jacildo spent 28 years working at a Brampton, Ont., plant assembling vehicles. His dedication to the job turned into a family affair, with his wife, three daughters, and their partners all joining the assembly line. However, due to the Brampton plant’s prolonged closure, Joseph, his family, and 3,000 other workers found themselves in a state of uncertainty.
The decision to relocate 350 kilometers southwest to Windsor and continue their work at Stellantis was a tough one for the Jacildo family. The move meant leaving behind their homes in Brampton and starting anew in a different city with a different environment and plant.
The Brampton facility’s closure was initially described as a temporary pause for retooling to produce new gas and electric vehicles. However, this plan was subsequently put on hold, leaving the future of the plant uncertain. The company’s dispute with the federal government over received funds added to the complexity of the situation.
Despite the challenges, Joseph and Jasmine Jacildo, along with their family, made the difficult choice to transfer to Stellantis’s Windsor Assembly Plant. Jasmine expressed mixed emotions about leaving their Brampton home, which they believed would be their forever residence.
The move to Windsor was seen as a necessary step to secure their future in the auto industry. Jasmine emphasized the importance of safeguarding their jobs and the uncertainty that would loom if the Brampton plant ceased operations.
The Jacildo family, part of the first wave of transfers from Brampton, found solace in the welcoming environment at Stellantis’s Windsor facility. With the support of Unifor, the union representing the workers, they navigated the changes and uncertainties brought about by the industry shifts.
As the family settles into their new lives in Windsor, they are grateful for the opportunity to transition together. While the move presented challenges, they find comfort in the camaraderie and support of their new colleagues. Joseph, considering retirement in the near future, acknowledges the silver lining of the warm reception they have received at their new workplace.