Mass Layoffs Hit Toledo Automobile Industry as Production Shifts Affect Workers

The automotive sector in Toledo, Ohio, is facing significant disruptions as Stellantis‘ Toledo Assembly Complex, Mobis North America, and KUKA announced permanent or indefinite layoffs, impacting more than 1,400 workers earlier this month.

At a private meeting on Tuesday, United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain addressed members of UAW Local 12. The meeting was set against the backdrop of impending job losses, with around 1,100 employees expected to be laid off at the Stellantis plant by January 2025. The media was not permitted entry, but reports from 13 Action News indicate that worker reactions were mixed.

Some members, including Kamari Whitaker, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of clarity from union leadership. Whitaker, a Jeep employee for over six years, voiced concerns over financial instability, particularly as she supports her four-year-old son. «I want my union dues back,» Whitaker stated, emphasizing her disappointment at not receiving anticipated support.

Conversely, some workers left the meeting with a sense of optimism. Tyler Wilhelm, who has been associated with the UAW for seven years, conveyed a belief in the union’s commitment to reinstating jobs, as reported by WTOL 11. He noted that Fain encouraged resilience and solidarity among members.

UAW Local 12 President Bruce Baumhower assured that leadership is actively engaged in addressing the situation. Baumhower suggested that part of the solution might involve Stellantis lowering vehicle prices, particularly for models like the Wrangler and Gladiator, which have seen sales declines. Baumhower remarked, «The company decided they wanted to make more profit, they raised the prices…and all of the sudden the sales have slowed.»

Representatives from Stellantis explained that the shift from two production shifts to one for the Gladiator is an effort to manage inventory levels better and reflect sales demands. Reports from The Blade indicate domestic sales of the Gladiator have dipped since 2021. Baumhower highlighted that the layoffs’ effects would extend beyond the assembly plant, impacting suppliers whose output will decrease in accordance with production cuts.