UAW Rally Targets Stellantis as Strike Looms Within Weeks

The United Auto Workers (UAW) is ramping up pressure on Stellantis, with a potential strike looming within weeks. After organizing rallies in Michigan cities like Sterling Heights and Warren, the UAW is holding a major rally today, October 10th, in Washington, D.C. The “Keep The Promise at Stellantis Rally” event will take place near the Washington Hilton at 1:00 p.m. EDT. UAW members, lawmakers, and allies will demand that Stellantis keep its commitment to investing in American jobs, particularly regarding the delayed reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.

UAW President Shawn Fain has been outspoken about Stellantis’ failure to fulfill its promises. “The commitments we won in our contract aren’t goals, they’re guarantees. The company claims they don’t have the money to make these investments. But since the year began, they’ve dumped more than $3 billion into stock buybacks. They have the money to keep the promise,” Fain said, underscoring the union’s frustrations.

The stakes are rising as Stellantis recently filed a series of lawsuits against the UAW. It started on October 3, when Stellantis filed an initial lawsuit against UAW Local 230, representing the Los Angeles Parts Distribution Center workers. On October 4, the company filed eight additional lawsuits targeting the UAW and 23 Local unions. Stellantis claims that the grievances being filed by the union are a violation of the contract. At the same time, the UAW argues these grievances are legitimate and part of holding the automaker accountable.

Stellantis cites market conditions and contract language as reasons for delaying job investments, but the UAW is pushing back, calling for the reinstatement of the Jobs Bank—a controversial program that allows workers to continue receiving pay even when work is unavailable. This program contributed to Chrysler’s bankruptcy in 2009 and remains a divisive issue.

Meanwhile, UAW locals across the country are holding strike authorization votes and moving closer to potential labor action. Although a strike authorization does not guarantee a strike, the union is positioning itself for more aggressive moves if Stellantis doesn’t meet its demands.

The rally in Washington, D.C., is critical in this escalating labor dispute, as the UAW aims to pressure Stellantis into honoring its contractual obligations. With a strike possible within weeks, today’s rally signals that tensions are at an all-time high, and the outcome could impact Stellantis’ future operations across the United States.