Automaker Stellantis announced more layoffs this week that the company blamed on the United Auto Workers strike.
The furloughs will affect 570 workers at two plants in Trenton, Michigan, and Kokomo, Indiana, the company said. The move brings Stellantis’ total layoffs to 640.
Stellantis, which manufactures Chrysler vehicles, also announced that several workers who had been laid off at the Kokomo plant returned to work Monday.
“Stellantis continues to closely monitor the impact of the UAW strike action on our manufacturing operations,” the company said in a statement.
United Auto Workers, which represents thousands of Stellantis employees, has routinely blasted companies that announced similar layoffs. When large-scale firings were announced by Ford and General Motors this month, UAW President Shawn Fain accused the companies of “squeezing” union members to force them to settle.
The UAW’s strategy of targeted strikes has made operations difficult at the car companies. Many of the struck plants focus on parts distribution, meaning they can’t be shipped to assembly plants.
On the other side, those fired won’t receive normal benefits and must rely on strike funds.
The walkout has hurt automakers’ bottom lines. According to some estimates, the industry has lost over $2 billion since the beginning of the strike last month.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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