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Experts discuss potential impact of UAW strike on Stellantis

Union claims there are unfair labor practices and multiple grievances at Stellantis

The threat of a strike is still looming with UAW, of course, not being happy with Stellantis. Experts are saying a definite possibility.

Shawn Fain is once again in the headlines, this time targeting Stellantis.

“We are prepared to take strike action to make Stellantis keep the promise,” said Fain. “It’s not every day that we’re on the same side as the dealers, the same side as the suppliers, and the same side as the shareholders, but today is that day.”

The Union claims there are unfair labor practices and multiple grievances at Stellantis, which is why it’s now threatened to strike against the company in hopes of making a change.

Wayne State University professor of business, Marick Masters breaks it down even further.

“The tensions are escalating, and it’s a deliberate effort on the part of the UAW to get additional concessions from Stellantis to live up to its commitments that were made in the contracts of 2023,” said Masters.

Masters hopes that a strike will not happen, but this isn’t the first time Stellantis has found itself in trouble.

“Stellantis has had a difficult history,” Masters said. “There’s been a lot of changes in the industry right after the contract negotiations in 2019 when Stellantis laid off about 20% of its workforce. It’s now had to make adjustments as a result of shifting market conditions.”

Only time will tell if the company can adapt to an ever-evolving industry and if a strike actually happens.

“I think a lot is going to depend on this election and how rapidly we proceed towards the transition to electrical vehicles,” Masters said.

“The commitments we made during 2023 negotiations span the life of the 4-year, 7 ½-month agreement, so it is not surprising that they haven’t been fully realized in the first year. And to be clear, Shawn Fain’s claim that the company has confirmed plans for the Dodge Durango is simply not true. The company has confirmed no such thing. However, Shawn Fain continues to allege that the company has violated the contract, but to date has provided no data or information to back up his claims. Instead, he continues to willfully damage the reputation of the company with his public attacks which is helpful to no one including his members,”

Stellantis

About the Author
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Victor Williams joined Local 4 News in October of 2019 after working for WOIO in Cleveland, OH, WLOX News in Biloxi, MS, and WBBJ in Jackson, TN. Victor developed a love for journalism after realizing he was a great speaker and writer at an early age.

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