Fain at DNC warns of possible strike against Stellantis over delayed plant reopening
In a grievance filed with the company, the UAW said the move violates the union contract the automaker agreed to last year.
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain speaks during a roundtable discussion at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.
In a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain warned of a potential strike against Stellantis following the automaker’s decision to delay the reopening of an Illinois assembly plant.
The union won the reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant in contract talks last fall after a six-week strike at multiple factories run by Jeep and Ram maker Stellantis, as well as General Motors, and Ford.
“Let me be clear. Stellantis must keep the promises they made to America in our union contract,” Fain told the convention crowd on Monday. “The UAW will take whatever action necessary at Stellantis or any other corporation to stand up and hold corporate America accountable.”
In a statement Tuesday, Stellantis confirmed that it notified the UAW of plans to delay the Belvidere reopening, but said it stands by the commitment and “strongly objects” to union allegations that it’s violating terms of the UAW contract.
“The UAW agreed to language that expressly allows the company to modify product investments and employment levels,” spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said in the prepared statement. “Therefore the union cannot legally strike over a violation of this letter at this time.”
Citing drops in profits, Stellantis also is planning layoffs at plants in Sterling Heights and Warren.
Earlier this year, the UAW organized a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee — however, a vote at a Mercedes plant in Alabama fell short. There was heavy pressure from Alabama politicians — and from Mercedes — to keep workers from joining the union.
Fain says there is more organizing efforts in the works, adding that workers would be wise to keep an eye out for union-busting techniques.
“I believe the workers will see through [anti-union efforts],” Fain said during a roundtable discussion with reporters on Tuesday. “I believe we’ll have another vote down there and we’ll win and I believe we’ll win other places before that.”
Tesla is also on that list, according to Fain — saying that “everyone’s craving that fight.”
Under Fain, the union has been more political this presidential election cycle. Speaking to reporters, Fain praised President Joe Biden’s support for unions and for stepping down and giving way to Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It’s a new day. It’s new energy. And I think, you know, adding Tim Walz as her running mate was a home run,” Fain said. “He’s a teacher. He’s one of us. And that’s the biggest thing. I think, you know, when you look at these candidates, I mean, people look at Kamala Harris, they look at Tim Walz, and they see their self.”
Fain was also critical of both billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump — who in a conversation last week discussed punishing and firing workers who strike.
In his DNC speech on Tuesday, Michigan U.S. Sen. Gary Peters shared concerns about Trump’s attitude toward unions — specifically warning about the effects of the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” on organized labor.
“Their Project 2025 agenda is the same old, same old: gut overtime pay, cut health care programs and give billions in tax breaks to billionaires,” he said.
Peters was joined on stage by members of the Teamsters. That union’s president, Sean O’Brien, spoke at the Republican National Convention last month where — at times — he praised Trump.
O’Brien was not invited to speak at the DNC.
Fain and the UAW leadership have endorsed Harris for president — though Fain says union polling shows about one-third of the rank-and-file voted for Trump twice.
In a statement Tuesday, Trump’s campaign called Fain a puppet for the Democratic party who is not serving union laborers who support Trump who know “he will protect their jobs and put them first.”
Associated Press Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report.
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