FCA Assembly Plant News

Jeep, Chrysler Workers Awarded Nearly $15K Each in Profit-Sharing Scheme
2/23/22

More than 40,000 employees of automaker Stellantis will receive profit-sharing checks worth up to $14,670 before taxes in March.

Workers represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union are set to receive the payouts after the company announced its strong earnings for 2021, its first year after it was formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, on Wednesday.

According to the company, the $14,670 amount, based on the company's 2021 earnings in the North America region, is the largest profit-sharing payout for workers that Stellantis or its predecessors have announced in 35 years, and a benefit of the removal of a profit-sharing maximum of $12,000 in the 2019 contract.


About 43,000 Stellantis workers are eligible for the payouts, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed in an email to Newsweek, but the actual amount they receive will depend on the hours they worked. They are expected to receive the payouts in their March 11 paycheck.


Jeep Grand Cherokee Ls go through assembly at the Stellantis Detroit Assembly Complex-Mack on June 10, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan Bill Pugliano/Getty Images




"Today's announcement that eligible UAW Stellantis members will receive an eligible profit sharing amount of $14,670 is a reflection of the hard work and dedication UAW members bring toward the success of Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and RAM sales," UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada said in a statement on Wednesday.


Estrada said the union's bargaining team had "fought hard for an enhanced profit sharing formula that more fairly distributed profit earnings based on the company's unique structure."

She added: "UAW Stellantis members are proud of the product they create every day especially during challenging environments over the past two years. We continue to make sure that this dedication in the face of pandemic and unforeseen parts shortages is recognized properly."

Stellantis announced on Wednesday that it made $15.2 billion (13.4 billion euros) in its first year after it was formed in the merger.

The automaker says it will distribute $2.2 billion (1.9 billion euros) in total as employee benefits for 2021, a figure that the company says is a 70 percent increase over the cumulative amount provided by its legacy companies.

"Employees are the heart of Stellantis. It is thanks to their continued focus on execution and excellence that we were able to achieve record results in our first year as Stellantis," Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said in a statement.

Tavares added: "Every Stellantis employee took on an extraordinary task in 2021 of combining two automakers while facing serious external challenges. Our goal is that all employees benefit from the company's profitable growth. We are pleased to reward and thank our team members for their tireless commitment."

Stellantis extends second shift at Chrysler Pacifica plant in Windsor

02/25/2022

The maker of the Chrysler Pacifica has extended second-shift production of the minivan at its Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario.

Stellantis NV confirmed Friday it has extended the employment of about 1,800 workers through the second quarter at the end of June. It previously had said in October the indefinite layoffs at the plant that employs 4,262 people would begin April 17.



The shift cut is a product of the ongoing global semiconductor shortage hampering production. Stellantis' Jeep Cherokee plant in Belvidere, Illinois, also lost its second shift last year.

But the Pacifica was a bright spot for Stellantis' fourth-quarter U.S. sales with a 32% increase year-over-year compared to an 18% decline for the automaker overall.

“The facts of the matter are we need the vehicles,” said Dave Cassidy, president of Canadian autoworkers union Unifor Local 444, which represents workers at the plant. “It’s a great vehicle. Dealers are crying for it. People want it.”

Despite plans for the layoff, Stellantis has said it will uphold commitments from its 2020 contract with Unifor. That includes a $1.13 billion investment into Windsor by 2024 for a new platform that supports electrified vehicles, which Unifor said should return the plant to three shifts after the Dodge Grand Caravan was discontinued in 2020.

During Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares' first visit to the company's Canadian plants earlier this month, Cassidy said he emphasized the company's commitments.

“He was tough on us on some of the things he wanted to see from us," Cassidy said. "We are working on those as we speak. When you talk to any CEO of any company, they want to always improve productivity and improve products. There was nothing that was earth-shattering."

Cassidy added: "He liked the workforce in Canada. He’s committed to Canada.”

Belvidere Assembly Plant to shut down starting Monday

Mar 3, 2022

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — Automaker Stellantis said the Belvidere Assembly Plant will be put on a production halt once again, beginning Monday, March 7th.


Workers will be on hiatus for five days due to various supply chain issues and microchip shortages that have been plaguing the automobile industry, according to the company.


Stellantis says they are working with suppliers to resolve the issue.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares laid out the company’s long-term strategic plan for investors on Monday, which called for a shift to electric vehicles worldwide within the next decade.


Beyond saying that existing plants would be modified to produce electric vehicles, Tavares did not specifically mention any plans for the Belvidere plant, which currently manufactures the Jeep Cherokee.

Stellantis Detroit plant that makes Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango down for retooling

03/25/2022

Vehicle production at the Stellantis facility formerly known as the Jefferson North Assembly Plant on Detroit’s east side will be offline until May as part of the plant’s planned retooling.

When vehicle production resumes at the Detroit Assembly Complex - Jefferson in mid-May, the plant will be prepped to once again produce the Dodge Durango as well as the new version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The retooling, which began this week, was one piece of a $4.5 billion investment that Stellantis, then known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, announced for its facilities in southeast Michigan in 2019 that led to the construction of the first new vehicle assembly plant in Detroit in three decades. That plant, on the site of a former engine complex near the Jefferson plant, is now operating as the Detroit Assembly Complex - Mack.



The Mack plant launched last year, giving the company the ability to ramp up production of the new version of its flagship SUV, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, while the old version was still being produced at Jefferson.

The new version helped the Grand Cherokee, which now also includes the three-row Grand Cherokee L that launched last year, have a banner year in 2021, with sales up 26% to more than 264,000 over the prior year.

New Detroit Jeep plant hit with 4th air quality violation

03/28/2022

The state of Michigan has issued a fourth air-quality violation against the new Jeep plant in Detroit for more nuisance odors from the paint used on the Grand Cherokee SUVs produced there.

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy last week issued the violation to Stellantis NV after an air-quality inspector observed the "objectionable" odors on March 22, according to the notice. The automaker already has had an independent investigation conducted that found a high frequency of odor concentrations coming from Mack Assembly Plant. It has committed to installing additional controls it hopes will address the problem.



"Stellantis continues to address concerns about our Mack Assembly Plant with urgency," spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said in a statement. "We are implementing the corrective actions submitted to EGLE on Jan. 7 and will continue to work with the agency to resolve this issue in a timely manner.

"A timeline for completion of these activities will depend, in part, on the outcome of discussions with EGLE regarding permitting requirements and deadlines imposed through the enforcement process."

The automaker and government agencies have said air samplings show there aren't immediate health concerns from emissions from the plant. The state air-quality inspector ranked the odor last week at Level 3 of 5, indicating "moderate intensity."

State rules and the automaker's permit to install emission units state the operating of equipment on the site should not result in the emission of an air contaminant that "causes unreasonable interference with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property."

Stellantis has until April 14 to respond to the latest violation. It received two others for nuisance odors last fall following complaints from neighbors. Another was related to missing ducting in part of the plant to send paint emissions through equipment that would destroy potentially toxic compounds. Stellantis installed the missing ducting in December and at Warren Truck Assembly Plant, which also was missing the equipment, in February. The EGLE is working with the automaker on an enforceable compliance plan, which will include a fine, according to the department.

The company, formerly known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, expanded its site on Detroit's east side from a partially idled engine plant to a $1.6 billion assembly plant, the first in the city in nearly three decades. It began delivering SUVs in June to dealerships. The adjacent Jefferson North Assembly Plant, which also produces the Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango SUV, is down for retooling for the next-generation models.

Employee Health and Well-being Drive Corporate Success

• Stellantis earns 2022 Best Employers: Excellence in Health and Well-being, and Excellence in Mental Health awards from Business Group on Health
• Awards underscore company’s commitment to promoting a culture of health and well-being for employees and their families
• Company among 44 major U.S.employers to receive 2022 Best Employers awards and is one of 21 recipients of the Excellence in Mental Health award
• Company programs support each employee’s pursuit of best-in-class performance and a better quality of life

April 19, 2022 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Stellantis has earned two prestigious employee health and well-being awards from the Business Group on Health (BGH): Excellence in Health and Well-being and Excellence in Mental Health awards.

The BGH’s 2022 Best Employers Awards, now in their 17th year, recognize large employers that have embraced a culture of health and well-being, and are working collaboratively to improve the health and quality of life of employees and their families.

Stellantis is among 44 major U.S. employers to earn the Best Employers Excellence in Health award and is one of 21 recipients of the Excellence in Mental Health award.

“Providing a healthy workplace, and improving the health and well-being of our employees and their families, is an essential component of our company’s success,” said Brad Thompson, director – health care, disability, workers compensation and medical operations, Stellantis North America. “Promoting a culture of health enables each team member to pursue best-in-class performance at work and improved quality of life at home.”

Through its comprehensive well-being program, Stellantis is committed to offering tools and resources that help employees and their families lead healthier lifestyles.

For example, the company provides a variety of integrated health plans with preventive services, which include health portals, UAW-benefit representatives, a registered nurse healthcare advocate, employee assistance program representatives, onsite medical departments, 29 dedicated well-being staff and fitness centers.

In addition, the company has opened three near-site family health and wellness centers serving employees and families working at manufacturing facilities in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan (Detroit).

“Supporting the health and well-being of our members is critical to maintaining a world-class working environment where our members and the company can succeed,” said Cindy Estrada, UAW vice president and director of the UAW Stellantis department. "On behalf of our members, we are proud to receive these 2022 Best Employers Awards as they demonstrate the importance and relevance of our health and well-being programs to the sustained success they’ve helped our members achieve.”

The BGH is a network of progressive employers, including Fortune 100 companies, that provide health coverage for more than 60 million employees, retirees and families in more than 200 countries.

“All the winners are employers of choice,” said LuAnn Heinen, vice president of the Business Group on Health. “We congratulate each and every one of them for setting such high standards to benefit workforces for years to come, and for serving as a model for other companies looking to expand benefit offerings.”

Stellantis delays shift cut at Chrysler minivan plant until year's end

04/28/2022

The maker of the Chrysler Pacifica has extended second-shift production of the minivan at its Windsor Assembly Plant through the end of the year, the automaker confirmed on Thursday.

Stellantis NV in October had announced plans to cut the 1,800-person shift at the Ontario plant that employs almost 4,300 people. The indefinite layoffs would've taken place earlier this month, with the automaker citing a global semiconductor shortage and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In February, the company said it was extending the shift until the end of June.



In the first quarter, Stellantis sold 26,366 Pacificas in the United States, down 23% year-over-year.

"We're going to keep working on that and moving forward, but great news today," Dave Cassidy, president of Local 444 for Canadian autoworkers union Unifor, said in a video posted on Twitter. "Second shift at Windsor Assembly Plant has been extended until the end of the year."

Despite plans for the layoff, Stellantis has said it will uphold commitments from its 2020 contract with Unifor. That includes a $1.13 billion investment into Windsor by 2024 for a new platform that supports electrified vehicles, which Unifor says should return the plant to three shifts after the Dodge Grand Caravan was discontinued in 2020.

That commitment also appears backed by Stellantis announcing last month it is investing $4.1 billion with Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution into a gigafactory to supply batteries for electric vehicles built in North America, though the city of Windsor has to expropriate a home first.

Windsor isn't the only plant that has been hurt by supply-chain problems. Stellantis' Jeep Cherokee plant in Belvidere, Illinois, lost its second shift last year.

Belvidere Assembly Plant braces for more layoffs amid uncertain future

05/16/2022

BELVIDERE — The future of the Belvidere Assembly Plant remains in flux as Stellantis announced yet another production shutdown earlier this month due to what the company called an unprecedented global microchip shortage.

“Stellantis continues to work closely with our suppliers to mitigate the manufacturing impacts caused by the various supply chain issues facing our industry,” company spokeswoman Ann Marie Fortunate said in an email.

The Belvidere plant has seen its workforce, which topped 5,000 as recently as 2019, drop to less than 1,500 today amid faltering Jeep Cherokee sales, which declined 34% in 2021.

Stellantis recently announced plans to eliminate more jobs this month in order to operate the plant in a more sustainable manner.

The next round of layoffs, the company said, will be achieved through a combination of retirement packages offered to eligible union staff as well as reductions of both hourly and salaried employees.

Related:Many of Rockford region's largest employers are getting smaller. Here's who's shrinking

Production was down at the Belvidere Assembly Plant nearly 40% of this year’s first quarter, which is taking its toll on the plant’s supplier companies, according to Belvidere Mayor Clint Morris.

"It's unfortunate because as Stellantis goes, they go," Morris said. "Everything from stamping to upholstery. The suppliers have definitely made cutbacks and they're feeling the strain of a smaller workforce at the assembly plant."

Fewer employees at the assembly plant is also having an impact on city services, Morris said.

"They're (Stellantis) one of our largest water users and when they have three shifts running, they obviously use a lot more water," he said. "When we have a bulk user like that, it allows us to keep our rates low. So, them cutting back obviously has an effect on some of our infrastructure and some of the services we provide."

Despite the uncertainty, community leaders remain optimistic about the plant’s future and the possibility that Stellantis will eventually retool the plant to assemble electric vehicles or a hybrid model.

“We are in constant conversations with Stellantis,” said Growth Dimensions executive director Pam Lopez-Fettes. “What I would like to see assembled in Belvidere is a hybrid vehicle. We would also like to see a battery plant here to supply batteries for the electric vehicles or the hybrid vehicles to the assembly plant.”

The Belvidere Assembly Plant opened in July, 1965 when it operated under the Chrysler banner. Workers at the plant have assembled everything from the Dodge Neon and Chrysler New Yorker to the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot models.

The Illinois General Assembly approved last year what is known as the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act which provides tax credits for companies that manufacture electric vehicles, parts and batteries in Illinois.

While no decision has been announced regarding future production, Morris remains optimistic that vehicles will be continue to be assembled in Belvidere for the foreseeable future given the condition of the plant, which he describes as state-of-the-art.

"Part of me says they (Stellantis) will take a bite on the electric vehicle incentives," Morris said. "The other part of me wonders if they'll do that and maybe incorporate that with a hybrid into their current model that they make here. Maybe a mix of both. But, I would anticipate that they're probably not going to leave incentives on the table."

Stellantis and Samsung SDI to Invest Over $2.5 Billion in Joint Venture for Lithium-ion Battery Production Plant in United States

• • 
    
  • Joint venture to build electric-vehicle battery plant in Kokomo, Indiana, to support Stellantis’ North America electrification ambitions outlined in Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan
  • Plant targeted to start in 2025 and create 1,400 new jobs
  • Facility to have an initial annual production capacity of 23 gigawatt-hours with an aim to increase up to 33 gigawatt-hours

May 24, 2022 , Kokomo, Indiana - Stellantis N.V. and Samsung SDI today announced that they have executed binding, definitive agreements to establish an electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Kokomo, Indiana. Targeted to start in 2025, the plant aims to have an initial annual production capacity of 23 gigawatt-hours (GWh), with an aim to increase to 33 GWh in the next few years. The total capacity would increase further as demand for Stellantis electric vehicles is expected to rise.

The joint venture company will invest more than $2.5 billion (€2.3 billion) and create 1,400 new jobs in Kokomo and the surrounding areas. The investment could gradually increase up to $3.1 billion (€2.9 billion). The new facility will supply battery modules for a range of vehicles produced at Stellantis’ North America assembly plants. Plant construction activities are scheduled to begin later this year with production operations planned to launch in the first quarter of 2025.

“Just under one year ago, we committed to an aggressive electrification strategy anchored by five gigafactories between Europe and North America,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis. “Today’s announcement further solidifies our global battery production footprint and demonstrates Stellantis’ drive toward a decarbonized future as outlined in Dare Forward 2030. I am grateful to Governor Holcomb and Secretary Chambers along with Mayor Moore and their teams, as well as to all my colleagues for their support and dedication to bring this operation to Kokomo, a city that holds a rich and long history for our company.”

"We express our gratitude toward officials from the state of Indiana and Stellantis for supporting the final selection of the plant site in Indiana," said Yoon-Ho Choi, chief executive officer of Samsung SDI. "We have secured a solid foothold in a rapidly growing North America EV market through the joint venture with Stellantis. We will make sincere efforts to bring satisfaction to the market with top-class quality products in the future, and we will contribute toward meeting the climate change target."

“It’s another incredibly exciting day to be back in Kokomo celebrating such a transformational investment from Stellantis and our new partners at Samsung,” said Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. “Today’s announcement is another step toward positioning Indiana as a leader in the future of mobility, battery technology and clean energy.”

“Our goals for the growth of Indiana’s economy are ambitious,” said Brad Chambers, secretary of commerce for Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “This significant venture with Stellantis and Samsung SDI is squarely in line with our 5E focus on the energy transition and building an economy of the future. Large-scale investments like this are a testament to Indiana’s business-friendly climate, its strong workforce, a growing population and our continued investment in quality of life. The economic growth and momentum in our state this year is unprecedented.”

“We would like to thank our partner, Stellantis, for its continued investment, support and faith in this community for over 85 years,” said Tyler Moore, mayor of Kokomo. “We would also like to thank Samsung SDI for its confidence in us and look forward to working together for the decades to come. This multibillion-dollar investment will help solidify Kokomo as a global leader in automotive manufacturing.”

At the Indiana factory, Samsung SDI will be apply its cutting-edge technology PRiMX to produce EV battery cells and modules for the North America market. Last year, Samsung launched its premium battery technology brand PRiMX as an industry first and unveiled the brand at CES 2022 in January.

As part of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis announced plans to have global annual battery-electric vehicle sales of 5 million vehicles by 2030, reaching 100% of passenger car BEV sales mix in Europe and 50% passenger car and light-duty truck BEV sales mix in North America. Stellantis also increased planned battery capacity by 140 GWh to approximately 400 GWh, to be supported by five battery manufacturing plants together with additional supply contracts. This announcement is part of the long-term electrification strategy to invest $35 billion USD (€30 billion) through 2025 in electrification and software globally.

The closing is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Stellantis
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA) is one of the world’s leading automakers and a mobility provider. Its storied and iconic brands embody the passion of their visionary founders and today’s customers in their innovative products and services, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Powered by our diversity, we lead the way the world moves – aspiring to become the greatest sustainable mobility tech company, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com.

Samsung SDI
Samsung SDI is a manufacturer of rechargeable batteries for the IT industry, automobiles and energy storage systems (ESS), as well as cutting-edge materials used to produce semiconductors and displays. Our executive managers and staff members focus efforts to develop the next generation’s growth drivers in order to secure Samsung SDI’s place as a creative leader in the energy and cutting-edge materials industry.

IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the state economy, driving economic development, and helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Led by Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, @SecChambersIN, and governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, @GovHolcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.

Three Stellantis plants take downtime for chip shortage

06/01/2022

At least three Stellantis NV plants are halting production as a result of the global shortage of microchips.

The Chrysler Pacifica minivan plant in Windsor, Ontario, is down this week along with Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico, home of the recently refreshed Jeep Compass crossover for the North American market.



Stellantis' Melfi plant in southern Italy also will be down next week from Monday, June 6 to June 11. The workers there assemble the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X crossovers. They also produce the Compass for Europe.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has said he expects the semiconductor shortage to extend through the rest of 2022 as the industry awaits additional production to come online, a years-long process.

"Stellantis continues to work closely with our suppliers to mitigate the manufacturing impacts caused by the various supply chain issues facing our industry," spokeswoman Ann Marie Fortunate said in a statement.

Automakers haven't produced nearly 2 million expected vehicles because of the semiconductor shortage this year, according to estimates from AutoForecast Solutions LLC. That's on top of the more than 10.5 million last year.

Separately, Stellantis' Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit resumed production last week after eight weeks of retooling for the fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs.

Stellantis Announces Windsor Assembly Plant to Produce Vehicles on New STLA Large Platform

• Current L-series vehicle production to end in Brampton when retooling starts in 2024
• Product announcement for Brampton to come
• Moves are part of $3.6 billion CAD investment announced in May

June 3, 2022 , Windsor, Ontario - Stellantis announced today that vehicles produced on the new STLA Large platform will be built at the Windsor (Ont.) Assembly Plant. Production of the current L-series vehicles – Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger – at the Brampton (Ont.) Assembly Plant will end when retooling begins in 2024, as announced on May 2, 2022. A product announcement for Brampton will be made at a later date.

The moves are part of the company’s investment of $3.6 billion CAD ($2.8 billion USD) to support its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan and its long-term electrification strategy to invest $45 billion CAD ($35 billion USD) through 2025 in electrification and software globally.

“There has been a lot of speculation, and while we’re not prepared to discuss any product details today, we’re happy to confirm that Windsor will produce vehicles on our new STLA Large platform,” said Mark Stewart, Stellantis North America COO. “These announcements represent key pieces of our Dare Forward strategy to provide safe, clean and affordable mobility solutions for our customers long into the future.”

As part of the investment announced in May, the Windsor Assembly Plant will be transformed to support battery-electric vehicle (BEV) capability for multiple models. The plant will have maximum flexibility to adjust production volumes as needed to meet changing market demand over the next decade. Retooling is expected to begin in 2023.

The company also committed to retooling and modernizing the Brampton Assembly Plant beginning in 2024. When production resumes in 2025, the plant will introduce an all-new, flexible architecture to support the company’s electrification plans.

Stellantis North America
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is one of the world’s leading automakers and a mobility provider. In North America, it's best known for producing and selling vehicles in a portfolio of iconic and award-winning brands such as Jeep®, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Fiat. Powered by its diversity, Stellantis leads the way the region and the world move – aspiring to become the greatest sustainable mobility tech company, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com.

Unvaccinated Windsor Assembly Plant employees welcomed back to work

June 19, 2022

Workers at the Windsor Assembly Plant who did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed back to the job as of next weekend.


In an online update on Saturday, President of Unifor Local 444 Dave Cassidy revealed that an arbitrator ruled that Stellantis has to lift its vaccine mandate that had been in place for company employees.


On October 14, 2021, Stellantis implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for its employees in Canada. It came into effect in December and required all employees, contractors, service provider workers, and visitors at Stellantis sites in Canada to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination when entering.


The union spoke out against the mandate almost immediately and eventually filed a grievance over the policy.


In his update on Saturday, Cassidy said Unfor officials never felt employees should lose their jobs over a personal choice, adding that union leadership often felt just as frustrated over the mandate as many employees were.


“We felt, from day one, that was unfair and unreasonable,” he said. “There’s a whole bunch of history as to why we thought it was unfair and unreasonable for them to implement it.”


Cassidy said the union is still working out the details of the process with the company but said any workers who were put on unpaid leave will be able to return to work on Saturday, June 25.


According to Cassidy, the arbitrator had ruled that when the policy was put in place and implemented, it was reasonable at that time and continued to be reasonable up until the present.


The arbitrator also made note of the federal government’s lifting of mandatory vaccination policies for government employees effective June 20 in the decision.


Cassidy called the decision a victory.


“It’s a day to celebrate, I believe. It’s been very hard on a lot of people,” he said. “There are going to be people that say ‘I didn’t want to take the shot but I was forced to, the company forced me to.’ Like I’ve said many, many times, this is such a divisive issue that we’ve been dealing with.”

Detroit Three automakers to make masking optional at all U.S. plants

Jun 21, 2022

WASHINGTON — General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler parent Stellantis NV said on Tuesday they are making masking optional for workers at all U.S. facilities.

In mid-May, the Detroit Three automakers and the United Auto Workers — which have a COVID-19 joint task force — reinstated a requirement that employees wear masks in southeastern Michigan, which was dealing with high COVID-19 rates.


The task force said on Tuesday it “strongly recommends masking” if a facility is in a high-risk county as identified by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) but that they will not be required.


GM said the change was effective immediately.


The Detroit Three automakers had said in early March they would allow auto workers to stop wearing masks at workplaces where U.S. health officials said it was safe to do so.


The Detroit Three did not mandate employees get vaccinated in the United States but recommended workers do so.

Stellantis, in Collaboration With ProMedica Health System, Establishes a Primary Care Health and Wellness Center in Toledo, Ohio

• The Stellantis Family Health and Wellness Center delivered by ProMedica is a primary care, near-site health facility established exclusively to serve Stellantis employees and their covered family members
• Center to provide personalized health care experience through comprehensive services and wellness programs
• Stellantis, in partnership with the UAW, was first domestic automaker to establish near-site health clinic for its employees and their families
• Toledo is fourth health and wellness center opened by company, following sites in Kokomo, Indiana; Belvidere, Illinois; and Detroit
• Center to start seeing patients in July
• Nationally, ProMedica provides care at six on-site/near-site health and wellness centers, representing 13 employer clients

June 28, 2022 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Stellantis today announced the opening of a comprehensive primary care health and wellness center in Toledo, Ohio, exclusively for the more than 9,500 employees and their families working and living within a 15-mile radius of the facility.

With a focus on keeping people well, Stellantis is collaborating with ProMedica Health System to provide a personalized, comprehensive health and wellness experience supported by a leading and respected health system in a new, state-of-the-art medical center.

Opening to employees and their families in July, this new health and wellness center provides easy access to such services as preventative and acute care, chronic disease management, infant/pediatric care, women’s health services, behavioral health services, physical therapy, nutrition and health education coaching, advanced medical diagnostics, virtual care options, pharmacy services and more.

“As a global automaker and mobility provider with a diverse and talented workforce, Stellantis understands that investing in our employees’ health and well-being is good business,” said Tobin J. Williams, senior vice president for human resources, Stellantis North America. “Our goal in opening this facility is to improve our employees’ access to quality and convenient health care.”

The 12,000-square-foot health and wellness center, located at 3500 Executive Parkway, will feature 13 examination rooms along with eight consultation, lab and treatment rooms and a large physical therapy area. It will provide a convenient, low- to no-cost option for acute, preventative and wellness-focused primary care services for all Stellantis employees and their covered family members enrolled in the company’s health care plans.

UAW-represented employees will not be charged any office visit co-pays when they use the services offered by the clinic. And, as a non-traditional medical office, appointment times are expected to be longer to ensure adequate time to address each patient’s medical needs.

“We are excited to be partnering with Stellantis on a top-notch, dedicated family health and wellness center for its northwest Ohio employees,” said Kent Bishop, MD, president, ProMedica Physicians and chief medical officer for ProMedica Physicians, pharmacy and acute care. “ProMedica’s expert care team is committed to helping Stellantis employees and their eligible family members improve their health and well-being by providing coordinated, customized and convenient primary care and wellness services. With the potential to provide patient cost-savings benefits and encourage a healthier workforce, this new clinic presents a win-win situation for Stellantis and its local employees.”

Featuring same-day appointments, extended hours and virtual care options, the center will connect employees with multiple primary care providers and needed wellness services. Care plans will focus on a comprehensive approach to wellness across lifestyle, fitness and medical integrations, providing a unique opportunity for managing chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

ProMedica currently provides care at six on-site/near-site health and wellness centers, representing 13 employer clients. ProMedica has more than 1,200 physicians and advanced practice providers with 2 million patient visits each year across Ohio and Michigan.

Stellantis, with support from the UAW, was the first domestic automaker to establish a near-site health and wellness center with the opening of a site in Kokomo, Indiana, in 2018. Toledo is the fourth center opened by the company, which also includes sites in Belvidere, Illinois, and in Detroit, Michigan.

“With high per capita health care costs and difficulties for employees accessing primary care services, Stellantis looks forward to ProMedica delivering an easy-to-access, personalized and distinct health care experience,” said Stellantis’ Williams.

Stellantis Announces Investment and Plans for Trenton, Michigan, Engine Complex

• Includes $24.7 million investment and new engine program for south plant
• Production line at north plant to be decommissioned; building expected to be repurposed
• Actions provide maximum flexibility for plant

June 30, 2022 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Stellantis today announced plans for the two facilities that comprise its engine complex in Trenton, Michigan, which will provide maximum flexibility for the operation.

The plan includes a $24.7 million investment to retool the south plant to be a flexible engine line, capable of producing the two variations of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine.

Following retooling, the Pentastar production line at the north plant will be decommissioned by the end of 2022 and all 3.6-liter engine production at the complex will be consolidated at the south facility.

First launched in 2011, the Pentastar engine quickly became the workhorse of the Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram product lines, streamlining the company’s V-6 engine offerings from seven to one. Upgraded in 2016, the redesigned V-6 delivers improved fuel economy and performance over the original version of the same engine, which will continue to be produced through 2023. Production of the Pentastar upgrade in the south plant is expected to begin by the end of Q1 2023.

The north plant is expected to be repurposed for warehousing and other non-manufacturing opportunities.

Trenton Engine Complex
2300 Van Horn Road, Trenton, Michigan, United States

Trenton South

Floor Space: 822,000 square feet

Acreage: 136 acres

Product:

• 3.2-liter V-6 Pentastar - Jeep® Cherokee
• 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar Classic - Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Durango; Chrysler 300; Ram 1500 Classic, Ram DX Chassis Cab (Mexico market)

Employment: 1,322 (1,120 hourly; 202 salaried)

Union Local: UAW Local 372, 412 and 889

Plant History: In 2007, the Company announced a $730 million investment to produce a new fuel efficient V-6 engine, known as the Pentastar engine. The 822,000-square-foot engine plant produces the most advanced six-cylinder engine in the history of the Company, with an optimized integration of select technologies that deliver refinement, fuel efficiency and performance. The Pentastar delivers a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 8 percent on average when compared with previous FCA V-6 engines.

The Pentastar engine was first introduced in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the promise that it would streamline the Company's V-6 engine offerings from seven variations to only one. With the introduction of the 3.0-liter Pentastar engine's debut in the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler, an exclusive to China, that promise has been fulfilled. The Pentastar engine architecture powers 16 models across 11 segments – from mid-size car to full-size commercial van.

Awards
The Trenton South Engine Plant was awarded a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Green Building System certification for meeting the highest environmental standards in March 2010. At the time, Trenton was one of only four auto manufacturing facilities to receive a LEED rating of any kind and the only engine manufacturing facility in the world to achieve the honor.

Trenton North

Floor Space: 2.1 million square feet

Acreage: 136 acres

Products:

• 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar Upgrade - Chrysler Pacifica
• Machines engine blocks

Employment: Shared with Trenton South

Union Local: UAW Local 372, 412 and 889

Plant History: The Trenton North Engine Plant was completed and production started in 1952. The plant underwent a major expansion in 1969. The plant ceased building engines in May 2011. At the time the plant was idled, it had built more than 38 million engines.

In June 2011, the Company announced that it would invest $114 million to repurpose one-fifth or nearly 400,000 square feet of the plant for the production of core components to support increased capacity of the Pentastar V-6 engine. On Nov. 15, 2012, it was announced that an additional $40 million would be invested to add a flexible production line to run both the Pentastar engine and the Tigershark (I-4) engine.

In May 2013, Trenton began producing the 3.2-liter Pentastar that powers the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee.

The Company announced on Aug. 7, 2013, that it would invest $52 million in its engine plants in Trenton and Dundee, Mich., to increase capacity of the Tigershark engine, creating nearly 298 new positions at the Trenton plant. Of that, Trenton North received $11.5 million to add an assembly line for the four-cylinder Tigershark engine. The remaining $40.5 million converted a line at Dundee to machine cranks, heads and blocks to support Tigershark production at Trenton.

On April 26, 2016, FCA announced that it will invest $74.7 million to retool the north plant to produce the next generation four-cylinder engine, retaining 245 jobs. The new engine will be assembled on the flexible production line that was installed in 2012.

World Class Manufacturing Accomplishments
In April 2014, the Trenton Engine Complex achieved the bronze award level in World Class Manufacturing (WCM) after demonstrating clear know-how and competence in the manufacturing methodology. WCM is a methodology that focuses on eliminating waste, increasing productivity, and improving quality and safety in a systematic and organized way. It engages the workforce to provide and implement suggestions on how to improve their jobs and their plants.


(Updated: January 2022)

Three Stellantis plants to idle the week of July 4 for summer shutdown

Stellantis NV, maker of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep, says it will idle three plants in North America over the week of July 4 as a part of its summer shutdown schedule.

It's the usual time of year when automakers take downtime at plants, often for maintenance and to make preparations for the next model year of their vehicles. Some companies, however, are aiming not to halt assembly lines to make up for lost production from an ongoing global microchip shortage. Most Stellantis brands have more days of supply on dealer lots in the United States, according to automotive services provider Cox Automotive Inc., than competitors.

The automaker's Ontario, Canada, plants will idle next week. That includes Brampton Assembly Plant where it builds the Dodge muscle cars and the Chrysler 300 sedan, as well as Windsor Assembly Plant, where it makes the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. Saltillo Truck Assembly in Mexico also will idle production lines for the heavy-duty Ram pickup trucks and Ram 1500 Classic, which also is produced at Warren Assembly Plant.

Stellantis offering retirement packages to eligible employees in Windsor and Brampton

July 26th 2022

Retirement packages are being offered to eligible employees at the Windsor Assembly Plant.


Stellantis says a workforce reduction will take effect over the next several months and the packages will be rolled out on Monday.


Employees will have two-weeks to make a decision before Stellantis will then have to decide how many layoff notices to issue.


The company says it's trying to find efficiencies but every effort will be made to place laid off hourly employees into open full-time positions based on seniority.


The automaker adds it's committed to the future of Canadian operations as demonstrated by the $3.6-billion investment in achieving 50% battery electric sales in North America by 2030.