NextStar Energy Finalizes First Union Deal With Unifor

NextStar Energy has officially ratified its first-ever collective agreement with Unifor Local 444, marking a major milestone for the Canadian battery manufacturing company. The agreement, which was voted in by employees last week, covers hourly production and maintenance workers at the Windsor, Ontario-based facility.

So far, NextStar has hired about 900 employees, with approximately 450 currently covered by this one-year agreement. That number is expected to grow to around 750 hourly unionized workers by the end of the year.

“This agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to our employees and our belief in the power of collaboration,” said Danies Lee, CEO of NextStar Energy. “We’re proud to work with Unifor to create something that’s fair, competitive, and stable.”

The deal officially takes effect Monday and establishes Unifor as the recognized union for NextStar’s hourly staff. The agreement is designed to support both labor stability and operational flexibility, as the company ramps up production at its massive new facility.

NextStar began producing battery modules in late 2024 and is gearing up to begin battery cell production later this year. Once fully operational, the plant will be Canada’s first large-scale domestic battery manufacturing facility—playing a key role in the country’s EV supply chain.