The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Unifor began contract negotiations with Stellantis on Tuesday. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe quotes Unifor national president Lana Payne describing the negotiations as the toughest to take place with the Detroit Three automakers -- maybe ever. Unifor aims to reach a deal with Stellantis by Sept. 11 after members ratified contracts with Ford and General Motors that include 3-per-cent raises over three years. Unifor is committed to matching other agreements to prevent the Stellantis Brampton assembly plant from closing and to secure production at its Windsor and Toronto factories. The Stellantis talks have begun after trade negotiations between Canada and the United States fell apart on Aug. 21. Ms. Payne said the tariffs have created an "existential crisis for our auto industry," warning that the levies on auto parts would shut down the North American auto industry within 10 days. "The most powerful leader in the world has said that he does not want us building cars or trucks or anything," Ms. Payne told reporters Tuesday. Stellantis employs more than 9,000 Unifor workers, most of those work at the Windsor assembly plants.