UAW members rally in Sterling Heights over concerns over Stellantis job cuts

United Auto Workers members and leaders rallied Thursday in Sterling Heights as part of a campaign to continue pressure on Stellantis to reopen the Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant and maintain production of the Dodge Durango in Detroit.

Outside UAW Local 1264, about 400 UAW members listened to speeches from UAW leaders, including UAW President Shawn Fain, and chanted “Keep the Promise and “Fire Tavares” (Carlos Tavares is the CEO of Stellantis, the automaker that owns UAW Local 1264). Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands). They then walked about a half-mile to Stellantis’ Sterling Heights assembly plant.

“Are you willing to do whatever it takes to save American jobs,” Fain asked the crowd. “This is the defining moment of our generation. Over the last year, we have moved a lot of mountains, but we have more mountains to move.”

Following the rally, Stellantis said in a press release that Fain was “spreading misinformation to the members he represents.” Citing “unquestionable market volatility, particularly as the industry moves toward an electrified future,” Stellantis said the contract stipulates that all planned investments are subject to commercial contingencies, including market conditions and demand. consumers.

Stellantis said that although the reopening of the Belvidere assembly plant has been delayed, it presented to the UAW “a shorter-term alternative for the Mega Hub (Belvidere Consolidated Mopar) that would mean options for more favorable employment conditions for many employees represented by the UAW, although it would require more investment by the company.

The company objected to the union’s claims, although it acknowledged that it plans to cut staff at Warren Truck this year and would not say whether it plans to move production of the Dodge Durango from Detroit to Windsor, Ontario.

Last week, the automaker, citing market conditions and vehicle affordability needs, also said it planned to indefinitely lay off workers represented by unions “across its territory,” as well as laying off additional workers at several of its U.S. manufacturing plants, but declined to provide details.

More news on Stellantis: Stellantis reports 20% drop in US sales in 3rd quarter, with Chrysler and Dodge hit hard

More news on Stellantis: Stellantis Lowers 2024 Profit Outlook, Plans Further U.S. Inventory Reductions

The UAW is urging its members at Stellantis to prepare to authorize a strike against the automaker.

“If it takes a fight, we’re ready to fight,” Fain said at the rally. “If a strike is necessary, we are prepared to do it.”

Terrance Hill, 36 and an employee at Sterling Stamping, attended the rally because he is worried about his job. The Sterling Heights resident has worked for Stellantis for three years.

“It’s terrible,” he said. “The company is hurting us for no reason.”

Contact Adrienne Roberts: [email protected]