--- title: "Stellantis-UAW Strike Talks Could Reopen Shuttered Jeep Plant as EV Battery Factory" description: "The UAW and Stellantis have struck a tentative deal that will bring back the Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant." date: "2023-10-29" modified: "2023-10-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/stellantis-uaw-strike-talks-could-reopen-shuttered-jeep-plant-as-ev-battery-factory" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Stellantis News" --- # Stellantis-UAW Strike Talks Could Reopen Shuttered Jeep Plant as EV Battery Factory ![]() *Getty* Earlier in the week, the United Auto Workers (UAW)[ union and Ford struck a historic labor deal]() that gave workers pay raises, cost-of-living allowances, and retirement improvements, among other things. It's a deal that is now acting as the template for both [Stellantis]() and [GM](). The former of which has now reached a tentative deal with the UAW which will also see it reopen the Belvidere, Illinois plant. In February, Stellantis announced that it was idling its Belvidere assembly plant and, at the same time, investing $155 million into an electric vehicle plant in Indiana. However, following the UAW strike and subsequent new deal, the Belvidere plant isn't only reopening, Stellantis is going to be adding a new electric vehicle battery plant. “Through the power of our Stand Up Strike, we have saved Belvidere,” said UAW Vice President Rich Boyer. When Stellantis shut the Belvidere plant down, 1,200 UAW jobs went with it. Those jobs are now coming back and, according to the UAW, thousands more will be added. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7T5B3NZs6s “Once again, we have achieved what just weeks ago we were told was impossible,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. "Going into these negotiations, the company wanted to cut 5,000 jobs across Stellantis. Our Stand Up Strike changed that equation. Not only did we not lose those 5,000 jobs, we turned it all the way around. By the end of this agreement, Stellantis will be adding 5,000 jobs. We truly are saving the American dream.” Illinois State Rep. Dave Vella expressed how big of a deal it is for the Belvidere plant to return. “If this comes back, and I truly believe it will, it will be transformative for the whole region. If they come in with a battery plant, it’s probably 2,000 to 3,000 jobs. That’s not even the parts and other jobs. It’s a monumental change for the area," he said, per [*Automotive News*](). Stellantis' deal is similar to Ford's, in that it offers 25% base wage increases, reinstates benefits lost during the Great Recession, and improved retirement benefits for both future and current retirees. The union will vote whether to send the agreement to its members for ratification on November 2. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()