The UAW leadership is seeking permission to strike in connection with the dispute with Stellantis

Will the UAW attack Stellantis?

Rhetoric from the union is becoming more heated as auto workers work in the auto industry, with UAW leader Shawn Fain claiming that Stellantis is not honoring its end of the deal negotiated by both sides last year. A rally was held on Thursday in solidarity with other plant workers who may be affected.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (FOX 2) – Is another strike brewing in Michigan’s auto industry?

The United Auto Workers Union is threatening this by asking members of Stellantis-owned manufacturing plants to approve management to authorize a strike against the company. The UAW and President Shawn Fain say Stellantis has failed to honor part of the deal he agreed to in a contract signed in 2023.

On Thursday, hundreds of members of Sterling Heights Local 1264 rallied around Fain and showed solidarity with those who may be impacted by the automaker’s decisions.

“They want you to think that a strike won’t hurt. I assure you of one thing: the strike will paralyze this company,” Fain said. “And if we have to strike, it will be Stellantis’ decision because he is not honoring his commitment.”

On Thursday, Stellantis fell to its lowest value in two years. Meanwhile, both the UAW and dealers have been at loggerheads with CEO Carlos Tavares, who has come under fire as the company reports low wages.

The president of Local 1264 believes the United States is starting to take notice.

“The country is seriously listening to what we’re talking about,” said Doug McIntosh.

There are two issues related to Stellantis that the UAW says violates their contract: the failure to reopen the closed Illinois assembly plant in Belvidere and the halt to production of the Dodge Durango in Detroit.

Stellantis maintains it is not violating its contract with the UAW, and although the reopening of the Illinois plant where the Jeep Cherokee is assembled has been delayed, it is still taking place.

The UAW filed a complaint with Stellantis over the dispute. It may take many months for a formal complaint to be resolved by the board that hears it. There are legal questions about what it means to reopen a plant or move production.