UAW votes to strike against Stellantis over broken deal
- UAW President Shawn Fain announced strike authorization votes against Stellantis for not honoring a deal from last year's strike.
- The agreement included commitments to reopen the Belvidere assembly plant and produce the Dodge Durango in Detroit.
- Fain emphasized the union's readiness to take action to ensure Stellantis fulfills its promises, highlighting the potential job losses.
On September 17, UAW President Shawn Fain announced plans for strike authorization votes against Stellantis due to the company's failure to adhere to a previous agreement made after a six-week strike last year. This agreement included commitments to reopen the Belvidere assembly plant in Illinois and produce the Dodge Durango in Detroit. Fain emphasized that the company's actions could lead to significant job losses in America, describing plant closures as detrimental to the working class. Fain indicated that the union has begun filing grievances related to the Durango, asserting that Stellantis's disregard for the contract is a serious violation. The UAW's contract with Stellantis, General Motors, and Ford allows for strikes over job protection violations or plant closures, a shift from previous agreements where strikes were not permitted during the contract's duration. The union leader highlighted the importance of a specific clause in the contract that grants the right to strike, which was a hard-fought victory during the 2023 negotiations. He noted that Stellantis is one of the most profitable auto companies globally, reinforcing the union's determination to hold the company accountable for its commitments. Fain's announcement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing labor relations between the UAW and Stellantis, as the union prepares to mobilize its members to enforce their rights and protect American jobs. The situation underscores the broader tensions in the auto industry regarding labor agreements and corporate accountability.