Wed Nov 20 12:00:00 UTC 2024: ## UAW President Visits Toledo Amidst Jeep Plant Layoffs
**TOLEDO, OH** – United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain visited Toledo on Tuesday to address concerns among auto workers following Stellantis’ announcement of 1,100 layoffs at the Jeep plant, slated to begin January 2025. The layoffs result from a shift reduction in Gladiator production, moving from two shifts to one.
While the meeting between Fain and workers was closed to the press, 13 Action News spoke with several UAW Local 12 members. While some expressed anxiety over the impending job losses, others remained confident in the UAW’s ability to advocate for their interests. One Gladiator worker, Tyler Wilhelm, voiced faith in the union’s efforts to secure future employment for affected workers.
Stellantis attributed the shift reduction to high inventory levels and a need to align production with sales. UAW Local 12 President Bruce Baumhower countered that the layoffs stem from Stellantis’ decision to raise prices on the Wrangler and Gladiator, resulting in a 38% drop in domestic Gladiator sales from 2021 to 2023. Baumhower urged Stellantis to readjust pricing to boost sales and restore employment. He also highlighted the broader economic impact of the layoffs, affecting parts suppliers who rely on Jeep production.
First Piper 