On the Dash:
- Potential strike risk at a high-volume Ram plant could disrupt pickup inventory and tighten supply
- Ongoing labor tensions signal continued volatility in Stellantis production and delivery timelines
- Strong Ram demand underscores the importance of truck availability to dealership profitability
The United Auto Workers (UAW) will hold a strike authorization vote May 7–8 at Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Macomb County, escalating a dispute over alleged outsourced work.
Roughly 6,000 members of UAW Local 1700 will participate in the vote, according to Local President Mike Spencer. The plant produces Ram 1500 pickups and has been running at full capacity as the automaker increases output of V8-powered models and addresses prior quality issues.
The vote marks a step in the union’s strike process and would not trigger an immediate walkout. A majority of local members must approve the measure before the union seeks authorization from its international leadership, which must grant final approval before any strike can begin.
Spencer said he has raised concerns for more than a year that Stellantis has used outside contractors for work inside the plant instead of allowing about 600 skilled trades workers to bid on those jobs, as required under the union’s contract.
Skilled trades roles include electricians, millwrights, pipefitters, toolmakers, wastewater treatment workers and apprentices, and they rank among the highest-paid positions covered by the union agreement.
The automaker reported first-quarter net profit of $443 million (377 million euros) and continues efforts to stabilize its U.S. operations after a prolonged decline. Sales of Ram pickups, particularly models equipped with Hemi V-8 engines, remain central to improving profitability this year, CEO Antonio Filosa told investors.
