UAW Leaders Criticize Stellantis for Misleading Claims and Mismanagement

Controversy Erupts Over Stellantis' US Commitments

DETROIT — Recent statements from the UAW leadership have sparked debate regarding Stellantis' pledged investments and commitments in the United States. UAW President Shawn Fain and UAW Stellantis Department Director Kevin Gotinsky have raised concerns about Stellantis' actions and statements.

Statements from UAW President and Stellantis Department Director

UAW President Shawn Fain criticized Stellantis, highlighting a history of what he describes as corporate mismanagement. "Stellantis, formerly FCA, formerly Cerberus, formerly Daimler, formerly Chrysler, is following in a long line of failing corporate executives blaming autoworkers for their own mismanagement," stated Fain.

Fain went on to question Stellantis' financial decisions, particularly regarding stock buybacks. "It is laughable that Stellantis claims our proposal to reopen Belvidere is ‘outrageous,'" he said, noting that the company has spent $1 billion on stock buybacks in recent weeks, totaling $3 billion this year. He argued that the cost to reopen Belvidere would be significantly less and would directly benefit the workers responsible for building the company.

He further commented on past issues, emphasizing that, “Everyone knows the so-called ‘jobs bank’ didn’t cause the 2008 bankruptcies, and autoworkers aren’t responsible for CEO Carlos Tavares’ mismanagement today.” Fain urged that Stellantis adhere to their contractual commitments and support Belvidere and other autoworkers nationwide. He proposed that if Stellantis cannot fulfill these commitments, there should be collective pressure for leadership changes.

Kevin Gotinsky, UAW Stellantis Department Director, also issued a statement addressing Stellantis' comparisons between current commitments and the historical jobs bank program. "Stellantis is falsely comparing its commitments in our current contract to the jobs bank program from decades ago," said Gotinsky. He stressed that if the company fulfills its promises to reopen Belvidere Assembly and establish the Belvidere parts Megahub, it would allow members to return to work without significant financial burden to Stellantis. "These employees can and are willing to perform work today. That is all they want, to have a future and be able to provide for their families as agreed to in our contract," he added.

For additional details on the campaign urging Stellantis to fulfill its commitments, visit UAW.org/KeepThePromise.