(The Center Square) – A bitter dispute between automaker Stellantis and union auto workers continues with the plant in Belvidere becoming Ground Zero.
As part of a deal with the United Auto Workers, Stellantis agreed to invest nearly $5 billion in the area, retooling the auto plant and constructing a parts distribution center and an EV battery plant. The plant was expected to create 1,300 jobs and launch in 2028. But Stellantis announced in August that the reopening would be delayed to ensure the company’s sustainability.
The United Auto Workers blames Stellantis’ decision to delay the reopening on “gross mismanagement,” while Stellantis claims it is industry-wide volatility and slowing EV adoption that’s causing plans to change.
Recently, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other public officials urged Stellantis to restart the plant as originally planned.
“Ensuring auto workers get back to work with higher wages, good benefits, and valuable opportunities in a growth industry remains one of my highest priorities. That’s why I call on Stellantis to live up to the commitments it made a year ago to Illinois workers,” Pritzker said in a statement.