The shine on the new UAW contracts with the Detroit 3 has barely worn off before conflict arises once more.
Fresh off the hugs and handshakes, the Detroit Free Press is calling attention to some harsh words issued this week from UAW president Shawn Fain – and they’re directed at Stellantis.
The latest reports say that Stellantis, who agreed to historic deals with its union workers late last year, has kicked off 2024 with some layoffs. Specifically, the company has reportedly told 539 temporary workers that their services are no longer needed.
The company offered a statement, declaring the move an effort “to help improve the efficiency, productivity and market competitiveness of our facilities as we implement our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan."
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Fain responded to the news by calling Stellantis’ actions “heinous” and “shameful behavior” before pledging to “fight like hell to get people back to work.”
Fain went on to add, according to the Free Press, that auto companies have been playing “divide and conquer” for years and they’re doing it again by “bringing the pain to the lowest paid workers and blaming the union."
Because these cuts apply to the lowest tier of what are considered “supplemental workers” for Stellantis, the departures carry some harsh details – the workers are not entitled to notice, making the cuts effective immediately. The temp workers, says The Detroit News, are also not subject to any kind of supplemental unemployment benefits.
Stellantis said the company determined that they would make the job cuts after an analysis of staffing levels that is a part of the company’s “normal course of business.”
