United Auto Workers holds rally near shuttered Stellantis plant in Belvidere

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WLS) -- National United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain led a rally near the shuttered Stellantis plant in Belvidere Thursday.

Union officials called on Stellantis to keep its promise to re-open the plant and to not delay the reopening any further.

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Last fall, the automaker said it would make a nearly $5 billion investment to reopen the plant that closed in February 2023.

The union says it intends to enforce the agreement to the fullest extent including threatening to strike. Under the contract, the union is able to strike once an issue goes through the full grievance procedure.

Earlier this week, Stellantis confirmed that it has notified UAW that plans for Belvidere will be delayed but claims they "firmly stand by its commitment to reopen the plant."

Belvedere plant sits on more than 280 acres, and when it is operating it has more than 1,200 employees.

Dawn Simms is assembly line worke who has been relying on union benefits until the plant reopens. She is a single mother of two kids, and she said she's scared.

"I am worried," Simms said. "I'm worried I'll have to relocate. I am worried for everybody."

Simms and other UAW members are hoping to pressure Stellantis to reopen.

The union has already filed a grievance over the company's delay in reopening. They claim the company has violated its contract with the union.

"I want to be very clear on this point. Our goal is not to strike," Fain said. "Our goal is to bring jobs and products back to Belvidere that belong here."

Company officials said in a statement that Stellantis strongly objects to the union's accusations. In fact, the UAW agreed to language that expressly allows the company to modify product investments and employment levels. Therefore, the union cannot legally strike.

Federal officials said there is additional pressure on the company to reopen because they have received more than $330 million dollars in federal grants under an agreement to produce electric vehicles.

"There's no question they made a commitment not only in the contract to the union, but also a commitment to federal elected officials," 11th District U.S. Rep. Bill Foster said.

UAW leaders said they're concerned the company plans to delay reopening the plant until late 2028, which is after their current union contract runs out in early 2028.