UAW members at Stellantis' Denver center vote to authorize strike action

Stellantis Faces Potential Strikes Amid Contract Disputes

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — In a significant move, members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) at Stellantis' Denver Parts Distribution Center have overwhelmingly approved strike authorization, with 97% supporting the measure. This authorization empowers the International UAW to initiate a strike if negotiations with Stellantis fail to address alleged contract breaches.

Stellantis is under scrutiny nationwide, with UAW locals accusing the company of not honoring product and investment obligations outlined in their current contract. As these grievances unfold, other UAW locals associated with Stellantis may soon conduct their own strike authorization votes.

The Denver-based UAW Local 186 is not alone in its stance. Members of UAW Local 230 at the Los Angeles Parts Distribution Center were the first to grant strike authorization, having done so on Thursday, October 3rd.

The UAW's 2023 contract secured $19 billion in investment pledges, ensuring the preservation of numerous union jobs across the United States. Notably, the union obtained the right to strike if Stellantis fails to meet these promises. Despite being one year into the agreement, Stellantis has only proposed investments approximating 2% of the promised $19 billion. The company is also reportedly reconsidering its commitments to reopen the Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant and manufacture the Dodge Durango in Detroit.

Instead of meeting its investment pledges, Stellantis has allocated $1.1 billion to stock buybacks over the past nine weeks and plans to spend $3.3 billion more on buybacks in 2024.

Amid these developments, Stellantis has launched a vigorous public relations campaign, reportedly aimed at misconstruing its commitment to U.S. investments. The company has also attempted to disrupt the union's strike authorization process, making robocalls to thousands of UAW members urging them to reject strike authorization. Despite these efforts, the affirmative votes in Los Angeles and Denver indicate strong member support for taking action, suggesting that Stellantis' strategy may be counterproductive. Furthermore, Stellantis has filed lawsuits in federal court to challenge UAW members' rights to strike over unmet commitments.

For further details on the UAW's efforts to ensure Stellantis keeps its promises, visit UAW.org/KeepThePromise.