UAW Threatens to Strike at Stellantis Over Belvidere Assembly Plant Delays
Several UAW locals are prepared to file grievances, which could pave the way for a strike against Stellantis.
Union Upset Over Delayed Reopening of Belvidere Assembly Plant
The UAW is upset about plans to delay the reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant.
Stellantis Confirms Delay, Dismisses UAW’s Claims
Stellantis confirmed the delay but said the UAW is out of luck as they agreed to allow the automaker to “modify product investments and employment levels.”
Bad Blood Between UAW and Stellantis
There’s a lot of bad blood between the UAW and Stellantis as the automaker is eliminating a shift at the Warren Truck Plant and temporarily shutting down the Trenton Engine Complex. The union is still fuming over the idling of Belvidere Assembly.
UAW Threatens National Strike
Locals representing tens of thousands of workers under the national UAW Stellantis agreement are prepared to file grievances over the company’s failure to keep its investment commitments and honor the union contract. This could potentially lead to a national strike at Stellantis.
Stellantis’ Broken Promises
The union claims that Stellantis has gone back on its product commitments at Belvidere and has been uncooperative in talks with the union. The UAW demands that the company reverse course.
Stellantis’ Response
Stellantis pushed back on the UAW’s claims but confirmed that plans for Belvidere will be delayed. The automaker stated that this delay is necessary to preserve competitiveness and sustainability while aligning with market conditions and consumer demands.
Investment in Belvidere Assembly
The UAW agreement revealed a $1.5 billion investment into Belvidere Assembly, with the plant expected to build 80,000 to 100,000 vehicles annually. The facility was slated to have two shifts and produce the Ram Dakota successor and the next-generation Jeep Gladiator.
UAW’s Stand Against Stellantis
UAW President Shawn Fain stated that the union intends to enforce the contract to the full extent and stand up against a company that wants to go back on its commitments at the expense of the American worker.
Stellantis maintains that they have not violated the commitments made in the UAW agreement and that the union cannot legally strike over a violation of the agreement at this time.
