Congress Urges Stellantis to Prioritize UAW Workers and American Jobs

Congressional Members Rally for UAW Workers in Stellantis Dispute

Washington, D.C. – A significant congressional push has emerged in support of United Auto Workers (UAW) members, with 79 lawmakers calling on Stellantis to prioritize its commitments to American labor. This correspondence comes in response to the corporation's recent operations and decisions that have drawn criticism.

In a letter directed at Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, 23 U.S. Senators, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and including all Senators from Michigan and Illinois, expressed their concerns. They accuse the automaker of neglecting its contractual duties to UAW workers, suggesting that recent developments betray its workforce.

Concurrently, 56 House Representatives, comprising the Democratic representatives from Michigan and Ohio and Rep. Bill Foster from Illinois, addressed a letter to the company's Board of Directors. They expressed disappointment over the company's trajectory, highlighting the postponements in reopening the Belvidere Assembly Plant.

These legislative actions align with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris's calls for Stellantis to focus on domestic employment. Lawmakers took issue with the company citing "poor market conditions" to justify investment delays, noting Stellantis' impressive financial gains: $6 billion in profits in the year's first half, $8 billion allocated to stock buybacks and dividends, and CEO Tavares' $39.5 million compensation package.

In addition, Senators brought attention to the $335 million in public funds allotted to Stellantis for resuming operations at the Belvidere plant, urging the company to adhere to its commitments to its workers and the local community.

"Stellantis’ reliance on taxpayer support, while planning layoffs and moving production outside of the United States, betrays the trust of American workers and taxpayers," the letter stated, referencing recent job cuts at facilities in Sterling Heights, Warren, Toledo, and Detroit.

The letters from Congress highlight Stellantis’ postponement of investment in the Belvidere plant and the potential relocation of Dodge Durango production outside the U.S. as a breach of its UAW contract and a failure to meet expectations from Congress and the American public for bolstering domestic employment.

As local UAW unions file grievances and vote on strike authorizations to uphold their contract, these letters serve as a pointed reminder that elected officials are meticulously scrutinizing Stellantis’ actions, demanding accountability in its pledge to support American labor.

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