UAW Local 869 President Romaine McKinney III has stated that the union’s grievances regarding health and safety concerns at the Stellantis metal stamping plant in Warren, Michigan have resulted in more than 1,000 workers voting to authorize a strike. The factory supplies parts to several Stellantis facilities, including those in Windsor, Ontario, and Saltillo, Mexico.
The potential strike could impact the production of popular vehicles like the Ram pickup, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Wagoneer. Despite not specifying a strike deadline, Stellantis mentioned in a statement that discussions are ongoing and employees are currently working at the Warren plant.
McKinney III emphasized the importance of workers feeling a sense of ownership in the workplace rather than being seen as a number or body on an assembly line. He stated that grievances have been filed regarding issues such as ventilation fans, ergonomic matting, personal protective equipment, flooding, basement lighting, oil leaks, and other problems at the factory.
Stellantis expressed its commitment to providing a safe work environment and resolving the issues raised by employees without disrupting operations. If a strike were to occur it would be devastating for both workers and consumers alike as these popular vehicles are highly sought after globally.
