UAW President Shawn Fain Announces Strike Authorization Votes vs. Stellantis

United Auto Workers (UAW) union President Shawn Fain announced a significant escalation in their actions against Stellantis, the multinational automaker, citing the company’s failure to uphold commitments made in a previous agreement. This announcement was made during a live-streamed speech to union members on Tuesday evening.

Fain revealed plans to convene the Stellantis council in Detroit and to organize strike authorization votes at various Stellantis locations in the upcoming days. “We will stand united to enforce our contract and save American jobs,” he stated emphatically, reaffirming the union’s dedication to protecting its members’ rights.

Stellantis, which employs approximately 300,000 individuals worldwide, is known for producing 16 vehicle brands, including Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and Alfa Romeo. The friction between the union and the automaker stems from a collective bargaining agreement that was reached last October, following a six-week strike. This agreement included pivotal commitments from Stellantis, notably the reopening of its Belvidere assembly plant in Illinois and the production of the Dodge Durango in Detroit.

However, Fain expressed alarm over recent developments. He noted that Stellantis plans to shift the production of the Dodge Durango from the Detroit Assembly Complex to Canada, a decision that he labeled as a “flagrant violation of our contract.” Fain emphasized the detrimental impact this move would have on American jobs, warning that it could endanger thousands of positions.

In light of this, Fain disclosed that the union had initiated a new series of grievances concerning the Durango, indicating that the situation appeared dire and required immediate attention. He criticized Stellantis for delaying investment in the Belvidere plant until after the current contract expires, arguing that such actions undermine the agreement’s validity.

Over the years, Stellantis has faced significant scrutiny due to past decisions that resulted in the sale, closure, or idling of 18 manufacturing facilities, which ultimately affected tens of thousands of jobs and shattered communities. Fain lamented the ongoing struggle of workers, stating that despite record profits over the last decade, the company has repeatedly failed to protect American jobs.

Fain characterized plant closures as devastating blows to the working class, equating them to “bombs dropped by corporate America.” He asserted that the time had come for the UAW family at Stellantis to take a stand and fight for their future.

According to the agreement reached last year with Stellantis, as well as with General Motors and Ford, union members have been granted the right to strike if there are violations relating to job protections or plant closures. This is a shift from previous contracts where the union had agreed not to strike during the contract’s duration.

Fain highlighted a crucial clause in the current contract that he believes concerns Stellantis. “In our 2023 contract negotiations, we made sure to win not only significant product and investment commitments but also the right to strike,” he noted, reflecting on past experiences where the Big Three automakers ignored contractual obligations.

At the time of Fain’s address, Stellantis had not publicly commented on the UAW’s impending strike authorization votes. Nevertheless, Fain remains resolute in his commitment to compel the company to respect its obligations. “Last year during our strike, we went on offense and we won,” he reminded members, painting a different picture of Stellantis, suggesting that they misrepresent their financial capabilities regarding employee commitments.

Fain firmly asserted the union’s position, stating, “We are 100% within our rights and within our power to take strike action if necessary.” The UAW is prepared to use this power to ensure that Stellantis honors its promises to American autoworkers.

As the stakes rise and tensions build, both the UAW and Stellantis are at a critical junction that may define the future dynamics of labor relations in the automotive industry.

Source: UPI