Unifor's about 9,000 Stellantis workers in Canada voted for a strike mandate on Monday, The Globe and Mail and CBC News reported. CBC put the tally at 97 percent in favour. The Globe and Mail said Unifor reported that more than 97 percent of votes cast were for a strike.

The union says that mandate does not mean a walkout is set. Neither Unifor nor Stellantis has asked for a "no board" report, a step needed under Canadian labour law before a legal strike, CBC reported. The Globe and Mail said Unifor is not in a legal strike position. No strike deadline has been announced.

Talks have been stuck since Unifor left the table on September 11 after Stellantis confirmed a preliminary deal to sell its idled Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant to armoured-vehicle maker Roshel, The Globe and Mail reported. CBC said the Brampton plant's future is a key sticking point and that Stellantis plans to sell the property to defence contractor Roshel.

A walkout would hit the Windsor Assembly plant, which builds minivans and Dodge muscle cars, and the casting plant in Toronto, The Globe and Mail reported. As of Monday, more than 6,400 workers at Windsor were on a three-week layoff that Stellantis links to tariffs and sales, The Globe and Mail reported. Unifor is also seeking production security at Windsor and Toronto and a wage package matching recent Ford and GM deals, The Globe and Mail reported.

CBC reported that Stellantis spokeswoman LouAnn Gosselin said the company remains "committed to bargaining in good faith." Unifor Local 444 president James Stewart said a strike authorization "north of 97 per cent" sends "a powerful message of unity," CBC reported. Unifor National President Lana Payne said members want a fair agreement that protects Canadian auto jobs, according to CBC.

What we know: Unifor Stellantis members voted about 97 percent for a strike mandate, with no legal strike date set.
What we don't: Whether either side will seek a no-board report or reopen talks on the Brampton sale.