(WWJ) — The UAW is threatening a possible national strike against Stellantis, in the wake of what the union says are recent cutbacks at auto plants and unkept promises after signing a new contract following last fall’s historic stand-up strike.
Several UAW Locals — including four in Metro Detroit — are preparing a number of grievances against Stellantis. The UAW says this move could pave the way for a national strike, if necessary, according to WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert.
“In a statement released Monday, UAW President Shawn Fain said Stellantis has gone back on a number of commitments, including a new product that would’ve reopened the idled Belvidere, Illinois plant,” Gilbert reported Monday afternoon.
The UAW says Stellantis has failed to keep contractual agreements that included a promise to invest about $5 billion in order to revive the shuttered Belvidere Assembly Plant.
The UAW released the full text of the grievances being filed:
"The Company has informed the Union that it will not launch the Belvidere Consolidated Mopar Mega Hub in 2024, it will not begin stamping operations for the Belvidere Mega Hub in 2025 and it will not begin production of a midsize truck in Belvidere in 2027.
The Company’s failure to plan for, fund and launch these programs constitute a violation of the U.S. Investment letter in the P&M and OC&E Collective Bargaining Agreements. During 2023 National Negotiations the parties agreed to the investment plan for Belvidere to address job security concerns impacting bargaining unit members throughout the entire system. The Company’s failure to honor its commitments in the U.S. Investment letter is a serious concern to all bargaining unit members.
Demand: The Union demands that the Company rescind its decision to push back the above-referenced launches and immediately plan for and fund the Belvidere investments in order to comply with the agreed upon timeline for launching the Belvidere Mega Hub (2024), the Belvidere Stamping operation (2025) and Belvidere midsize truck production (2027)."
Locals that represent the Warren Stamping Plant, Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, Jefferson North and Mack Avenue Assembly Complex are among those filing grievances, according to the UAW.
In an “FAQ” section on the UAW’s website , the union poses the question, “if the company is trying to break a promise in Belvidere, Illinois, why are Stellantis workers at other plants involved?”
The answer reads: “Stellantis has made investment commitments in all of our plants. If the company won’t keep their word in Belvidere, why would they keep their word about any of the $18 billion in investment commitments they made? We all have to stick together to hold Stellantis accountable.”
“In our 2023 UAW contract with Stellantis, we won historic gains, from life-changing wage increases to the reopening of Belvidere Assembly, and billions more in investment in American autoworkers,” said a statement on the UAW website.
The union says it also won the right to strike over product and investment commitments.
“A year later, the company wants to go back on their commitments to Stellantis autoworkers,” the UAW said. “Our answer is simple: Hell no.”
The UAW says it can go on strike to make Stellantis keep its promise, but “our goal is NOT to strike.”
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