ROCKFORD, IL — United Auto Worker leaders and Stellantis executives will tour the Belvidere Assembly Plant April 30 as they prepare to discuss a "launch agreement," UAW Local 1268 President Matt Frantzen said.
Frantzen, in an update to UAW 1268 members posted on Facebook, said Stellantis officials reached out to the union to talk about a launch agreement. A meeting was scheduled for May 6. Frantzen said a launch agreement would govern plans for retooling the assembly plant and for launching production.
UAW Local 1268 President Matt Frantzen speaks to the crowd Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, during a Keep the Promise Rally at the UAW Hall, 1100 Chrysler Drive, in Belvidere.© Kara Hawley/Rockford Register Star
"The fact that a meeting has been set for this discussion is good news for the status of the plant," Frantzen said.
Stellantis in October announced that it would resume production at the Belvidere facility at some point in 2027, about four years after it idled the plant in February 2023. Plans are to assemble the Jeep Compass and the Jeep Cherokee in Belvidere.
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Idling the plant meant laying off or dislocating 1,350 workers. Stellantis, the maker of Dodge, Ram and Jeep among many other brands, said it plans to invest $600 million to re-open the Belvidere Assembly Plant.
A walk-through is among the first steps needed before plans to retool the plant for production of the Jeeps are announced.
Frantzen said no announcements are expected following the walk-through.
"If any information is received from this visit, I'll update everyone with the information," Frantzen said.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Stellantis plans corporate walk through at Belvidere Assembly Plant
