More than 1,000 employees were set to be laid off as early as Jan. 5. However, Stellantis will revisit the decision in February, according to a UAW chairman.
TOLEDO, Ohio — A mass layoff of more than 1,000 employees at the Toledo Assembly Complex set for next year has been postponed and Stellantis will revisit the decision in February, the chairman of the United Auto Workers Local 12 confirmed to WTOL 11 Thursday night.
The layoff of 1,139 was announced in early November as part of a change in the operating pattern at the Toledo South Assembly Plant, as automaker Stellantis faced a dismal year of profits in the U.S. It could have happened as early as Jan. 5.
A letter sent to UAW employees announcing the postponement, which chairman Mike Sawaya said is legitimate, does not provide a reason for why the layoffs have been postponed.
“The Company [Stellantis] will continue to rotate Day and Afternoon shift for the layoff weeks. Day shift will finish out this week and their 2nd week credited is the week of December 23rd. The week of December 30th, 2024 day shift will be paid three days holiday pay and will be paid two days short work week for Jan. 2 and 3rd, 2025,” the letter states. “Afternoon shift will return to work on Jan. 2, 2025 and will work the following week of Jan. 6, 2025.”
The letter clarifies that “this is subject to change,” however.
A spokesperson for Stellantis did not immediately confirm or deny the legitimacy of the letter Thursday night and accused UAW of jumping the gun on the announcement.
However, Stellantis did provide a statement to WTOL 11 Friday in which they said no indefinite layoff would occur on Jan. 5:Â
“As Stellantis continues to reassess its strategy in North America, the Company has decided to extend the WARN notice that was issued in November for the Toledo South Assembly Plant. As a result, no employees will be placed on indefinite layoff on Jan. 5, 2025, due to the previously announced shift reduction. Employees are expected to return to work as scheduled after the new year.” Â
UAW Local 12 President Bruce Baumhower previously told WTOL 11 the layoffs would include 500 people from the Gladiator lines on the south side and 639 people on the Wrangler lines in the north plant.
Baumhower and UAW Local 14 President Tony Totty did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday night.
While the layoffs have been postponed, this does not mean they won’t happen, as Stellantis will revisit the decision in February.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and area elected officials have recommended workers who would be affected by the layoffs utilize local and state resources available to them.
It is unclear how this postponement would affect other layoff announcements in Toledo’s automotive injury, as over 300 employees total are expected to be laid off next year at the Mobis North America and KUKA Toledo Production Operations LLC plants.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Stellantis.
This article was published by Andrew Bailey on 2024-12-20 18:45:00
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