On August 20, 2023, UAW Vice President Rich Boyer delivered a passionate address during a “Solidarity Sunday” rally in Warren, Michigan, to union members.
Boyer expressed concerns about automaker Stellantis potentially moving production of the current Ram 1500 pickup truck from a factory in suburban Detroit to Mexico.
United Auto Workers Vice President Rich Boyer, who heads the union’s Stellantis unit, stated that discussions about the proposed move took place during ongoing contract negotiations between the UAW and automakers General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor.
Boyer also revealed that if the move goes forward, Stellantis plans to produce a new all-electric Ram pickup truck at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, which currently manufactures the majority of Ram light-duty pickups.
This potential shift has raised concerns about potential political backlash and its impact on the union’s membership, as electric vehicles require fewer workers to produce. Additionally, there are uncertainties about the success of an all-electric pickup compared to the existing internal combustion engine (ICE) model, which could lead to job insecurity for union members.
During the “Sunday Solidarity” rally, Boyer criticized Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, accusing him of disregarding the interests of American auto workers. Boyer boldly stated, “He doesn’t care about the American auto worker. They want to take the Ram 1500 ICE and send it to Mexico.”
Workers assemble 2019 Ram pickup trucks at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, on October 22, 2018.
Stellantis, which already produces some Ram pickups in Mexico, neither confirmed nor denied the proposed move, stating that the allocation of products to U.S. plants depends on various factors, including negotiations and performance metrics.
UAW President Shawn Fain expressed his opposition to relocating truck production, calling it a “huge mistake” on Stellantis’ part. He emphasized that those jobs and the Ram pickup belong to the UAW.
Fain described the ongoing negotiations with Stellantis as “slow and confrontational.” He expressed his desire to reach tentative agreements with the automakers in the coming weeks before the current deals expire on September 14.
UAW President Shawn Fain also addressed union members during the “Solidarity Sunday” rally on August 20, 2023, in Warren, Michigan.
Fain expressed the urgency of reaching agreements before Labor Day and hinted at potential problems if they are not met. He did not rule out the possibility of a strike against one or all three of the automakers.
Earlier, Fain symbolically discarded a proposal from Stellantis during a Facebook Live event, expressing his dissatisfaction with the company’s offer.
While contract talks between the UAW and automakers typically begin in July, Fain hinted that this year could see a departure from the usual process without providing specific details.
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