KOKOMO, Ind. — Stellantis announced the temporary layoffs of 700 employees at the Kokomo Transmission and Casting Plants amidst the ongoing UAW strike.
The layoffs are effective Oct. 13.
The company released a statement reading in part:
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.
Stellantis said it now has 1,340 employees on temporary layoff across three states.
Some Stellantis workers said Friday they aren't deterred by the recent layoffs.
"If you don't stick together, they have a point, they are going to get everything they can out of ya. That's just the way it is," said Terry Doran.
Solidarity is what Doran is all about. He's worked at the Kokomo Casting Plant for ten years. He's preparing to go help UAW workers on a picket line in Ohio.
Doran hasn't been laid off but said this round is troubling.
"This is not fun, walking In there every day wondering who is doing what, who is leaving, how many of your friends may never be back because you know some of those folks. If we are out long enough, they have to go find jobs," Doran said.
Doran, a former union committeeman for non-skilled workers, questions how the layoff decisions are made.
"They are not supposed to be able to randomly pick who they want, where they want to lay off. We pride ourselves on being a very strong seniority-driven plant," Doran said.
He worries about the impact on the community once the strike is over.
"A lot of them are family and friends. When this is over, we are supposed to play nicely and forget all of this. When they pull some of this stuff on the floor and it's like you know, you ain't what I thought you were," said Doran.
He said the layoffs can also hurt morale.
"That's part of why the games is getting played, because then we all start to question each other, as hard as it's not to. It's hard to avoid some of that," Doran said.
Doran said although he's disappointed in the way things are going, he still has faith in union leadership. As they continue to fight, he hopes others will focus on what they're fighting for.
"We are just looking for what we lost before and what they promised will be on the way," Doran said.