The United Auto Workers picked Stellantis' biggest pickup plant for its next showdown. The union said Friday it will hold a strike authorization vote May 7-8 at the Ram 1500 factory in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
The fight is over who gets to do the skilled trades work inside the plant.
UAW Local 1700 represents roughly 6,000 workers at the Sterling Heights plant. The strike authorization vote does not call a strike - it gives union leadership the legal authority to call one if talks with management break down.
Mike Spencer, who leads Local 1700, will run the vote.
A walkout would still need approval from the international UAW before any picket line goes up.
The union says Stellantis has been using outside contractors for skilled trades jobs that should go to union workers. Those jobs include electricians, toolmakers, and pipefitters - some of the highest-paid roles inside the plant.
The UAW argues members should be allowed to bid on the work first.
What's at stake for workers: Skilled trades jobs at union plants pay well above the assembly line average and are a big draw for veteran workers. If the union loses ground here, it loses ground in every other plant where the same fight is brewing.
The Ram 1500 plant builds one of Stellantis' biggest sellers in the U.S. The pickup truck is a high-volume product alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler.
A walkout at Sterling Heights would hit Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) revenue faster than a stoppage at almost any other U.S. plant. STLA shares traded in the $7.24-$7.38 range on the day of the announcement.
The action also follows months of pressure on Stellantis from the UAW over U.S. investment commitments. The company recently recommitted to investments in UAW jobs after earlier rolling back some plans.
Stellantis is already in court with the UAW over a strike authorization vote held earlier at a Los Angeles parts center. The company has filed lawsuits arguing the union does not have the right to call mid-contract strikes.
The UAW disagrees and has continued holding votes anyway. Sterling Heights is the next test of how far that strategy goes.
Stellantis has not commented publicly on Friday's announcement.
The May 7-8 vote is the gate. If members authorize a strike, the next step is whether the international UAW gives the green light to walk out.
For investors, the wider question is what a Sterling Heights walkout would mean for U.S. auto production heading into the summer selling season. Ford (NYSE: F) and General Motors (NYSE: GM) have been quiet on the dispute so far.
