UAW Statement on Stellantis’ Decision to Idle Belvidere Assembly

“We are all deeply angered by Stellantis’ s decision to idle the Belvidere Assembly plant without a plan for future product,” says UAW Vice President and Director of the Stellantis Department Cindy Estrada.  “There are many vehicle platforms imported from other countries that could be built in Belvidere with skill and quality by UAW members at Belvidere.  The transition to electrification also creates opportunities for new product.  Companies like Stellantis receive billions in government incentives to transition to clean energy.  It is an insult to all taxpayers that they are not investing that money back into our communities.”

“We believe Stellantis is grossly misguided in idling this plant which has produced profits for the company since 1965,” adds UAW President Ray Curry. “Not allocating new product to plants like Belvidere is unacceptable. Announcing the closure just a few weeks from the holidays is also a cruel disregard for the contributions of our members from UAW Locals 1268 and 1761.  We will fight back against this announcement.”