Stellantis is planning indefinite layoffs beginning next week at its Warren Stamping Plant.
The company did not disclose the number of workers who will be affected, but a letter from local union leadership to members posted on Facebook listed it as 40 (28 production workers and 12 skilled trades). Messages seeking comment were sent to the leaders of the three UAW locals listed at the plant.
The company provided few details, using similar language about the reason for the layoffs as it has in recent announcements elsewhere, such as at Sterling Stamping Plant in June.
“In order to operate the plant in a more sustainable manner, Stellantis confirms that there will be indefinite layoffs at the Warren Stamping Plant in Warren, Michigan, effective July 25. The company will make every effort to place the laid off hourly employees into open full-time positions as they become available based on seniority,” according to a statement provided Wednesday by Stellantis spokeswoman Ann Marie Fortunate.
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The plant on Mound Road employed 1,486 people — 1,311 hourly and 175 salaried — as of June, according to a plant fact sheet posted on the company’s website.
Warren Stamping produces stampings and assemblies, including hoods, roofs, liftgates, fenders and floor pans, for the Dodge Durango, Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager, Chrysler Grand Caravan in Canada, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Ram light and heavy duty trucks, according to the fact sheet.
While the specific reason for the Warren Stamping layoffs wasn’t made clear, the company has recently referenced wider industry issues.
In response to a Free Press question earlier this month about scheduled summer plant shutdowns and the chip shortage, the company noted its efforts to mitigate manufacturing impacts of the “various supply chain issues facing our industry.” In that note, the company said that “as the situation continues to be very fluid, we are making production adjustments as necessary to minimize additional production impact.”
Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence. Become a subscriber.