UAW Local 1268 votes to authorize strike over delays in reopening Belvidere Assembly Plant

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — United Auto Workers tied to the shuttered Belvidere Assembly Plant have voted to authorize a strike over Stellantis’ decision to delay reopening the factory.

Members of UAW Local 1268 voted Thursday with 91% in favor of authorizing a strike, the UAW said in a post on Facebook. The vote allows the UAW’s bargaining leaders to call a strike if they decide it’s necessary.

The national UAW has warned of a potential strike since August, saying Stellantis is going back on its commitments to restart work in Belvidere. Stellantis has countered by saying that the union cannot legally strike over the delay because its contract with workers allows for modifications in product investments and employment levels.

Auto workers say their contract with Stellantis provides the right to strike over the commitments to Belvidere.

The automaker told union workers this summer that it would delay its plans for Belvidere, but it says it “firmly stands by its commitment” and will continue to engage with the union on a future timeline.

The company had initially planned to launch a consolidated Mopar Mega Hub in Belvidere this year, begin stamping operations for a Belvidere Mega Hub in 2025 and begin production of a midsized truck in 2017.

No new timeline has been set.

The strike authorization vote comes a year after auto workers reached an agreement for a new contract with Stellantis that included wage increases and the reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant.

It’s also about one month after UAW President Shawn Fain and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders rallied in Belvidere to call on the company to move forward with operations in Belvidere. They also called on people to support Vice President Kamala Harris for president, saying she was the best ally to union auto workers.

Donald Trump won Tuesday’s election, including taking about 57% of the vote in Boone County.

The UAW has also criticized the United States Mexico Canada Agreement made under Trump, saying the trade deal led to more automotive plant closures and companies such as John Deere and Master Lock reducing U.S. production and moving jobs to Mexico and China

“We’ve said all along that no matter who is in the White House, our fight remains the same,” Fain said in a statement after the election. “The fight to fix our broken trade laws like the USMCA continues. The fight for good union jobs and U.S. leadership in the emerging battery industry continues. The fight for a secure retirement for everyone in this country continues. The fight for a living wage, affordable health care, and time for our families continues.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas