Warren Stamping workers OK strike if agreement isn't reached on health, safety concerns

Workers at Stellantis NV's Warren Stamping Plant on Monday voted to authorize a strike, if needed, over health and safety concerns at the facility, United Auto Workers officials said.

Romaine McKinney III, president of UAW Local 869, which represents workers at the facility, shared results showing 72% of workers who voted supported a possible strike in the coming weeks. It was not immediately clear how many members voted. The plant employs more than 1,100 UAW-represented workers.

In announcing workers would take the strike authorization vote, the UAW last week listed concerns that included flooding, a lack of personal protective equipment, problems with ventilation fans, oil leaks and a lack of overall sanitation. The union also said it was worried about outside contractors being used at the plant.

“Not only do we want these health and safety grievances resolved, we want our members to leave the same way they came,” McKinney said in a statement sent by the union Monday evening. “We want members to understand they’re not just a number or just a body on the line. They will come to work and feel like they have some ownership in that building.”

The union said because the grievance process has been exhausted, workers have the ability to call for a strike under the union's national contract agreement with the automaker. The UAW posted a video Monday with workers describing concerns inside the plant.

Warren Stamping workers at the plant also voted April 2 to authorize a strike over a separate issue, related to its expired local contract. Such labor contracts deal with smaller plant-by-plant issues that are not detailed in the national agreement.

Warren Stamping makes hoods, liftgates, fenders, floor pans and other components that go into Dodge Durangoes, Chrysler Pacificas, Jeep Gladiators, Wranglers and Wagoneers, as well as Ram pickups, according to Stellantis. The union last week warned any work stoppage at the plant could impact operations at more than a half-dozen other facilities.

"While the members of UAW Local 869 from Stellantis' Warren (Michigan) Stamping Plant have voted to authorize a strike, discussions between the company and UAW are ongoing and employees are still at work," Stellantis said in a statement sent by spokesperson Jodi Tinson. "Stellantis remains committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all employees and resolving this matter without a work stoppage."

lramseth@detroitnews.com