Stellantis lays off another 700 workers in Kokomo
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Stellantis on Friday announced it has temporarily laid off another 700 workers in Kokomo as a result of the ongoing United Auto Workers strike. The employees come from the automaker’s Kokomo Transmission and Kokomo Casting plants.
In a statement, the company said the move is a consequence of the strike action at its Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio.
“These plants have reached maximum inventory levels of the parts or components they supply for the Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator,” the statement said. “In total, the Company now has 1,340 employees on temporary layoff across three states.”
The move comes less than a month after Stellantis laid off more than 300 workers at two Kokomo facilities. However, the company said those employees returned to work last Monday. It is not clear of those employees were laid off again in the latest round.
Stellantis employs about 7,000 people in Indiana at plants in Kokomo and Tipton.
The automaker said it “continues to closely monitor the impact of the UAW strike action on our manufacturing operations.”
Stellantis issued a separate statement on Friday regarding the strike:
“The discussions between Stellantis and the UAW are focused on narrowing the gaps on issues that will bring immediate financial gains and job security for our employees while providing a bridge for the sustainability of the Company. We have made progress this week and look for collaboration from the UAW to reach an agreement as soon as possible to get everyone back to work.“
The United Auto Workers union strike against Detroit’s Big Three automakers is entering its fifth week.
Stellantis workers aren’t the only Indiana employees affected by the strike. Earlier this month, General Motors announced it furloughed 35 employees at its Marion Metal Center.