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DETROIT \u2014 A high-profile spat between the United Auto Workers and Stellantis over reopening an Illinois factory complex has made its way\u00a0into the race for U.S. president<\/a>\u00a0and could elicit a strike against the automaker.<\/p>\n In a speech at the Democratic National Convention Monday night, union President Shawn Fain accused the company of reneging on promises to restart a now-closed assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, just over an hour northwest of Chicago.<\/p>\n The union\u00a0won the reopening<\/a>\u00a0in contract talks last fall after a six-week strike at multiple factories run by Jeep and Ram maker Stellantis, as well as General Motors, and Ford.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me be clear. Stellantis must keep the\u00a0promises they made to America<\/a>\u00a0in our union contract,\u201d Fain told the crowd at the Chicago convention. \u201cThe UAW will take whatever action necessary at Stellantis or any other corporation to stand up and hold corporate America accountable,\u201d he said, clearly referring to the possibility of a strike.<\/p>\n In a statement Tuesday, Stellantis confirmed that it notified the UAW of plans to delay reopening of Belvidere but said it stands by the commitment and \u201cstrongly objects\u201d to union allegations that it\u2019s violating terms of the UAW contract.<\/p>\n \u201cThe UAW agreed to language that expressly allows the company to modify product investments and employment levels,\u201d spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said in the prepared statement. \u201cTherefore the union cannot legally strike over a violation of this letter at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n Stellantis said that it is critical that a business case be made for all investments to match market conditions \u201cto ensure the company\u2019s future competitiveness and sustainability, which are necessary to preserve U.S. manufacturing jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n In a grievance filed with the company, the UAW said Stellantis has said it won\u2019t open a parts distribution hub in Belvidere this year, it won\u2019t restart metal stamping operations there in 2025, and it doesn\u2019t plan to begin producing a midsize truck at the Belvidere plant in 2027.<\/p>\n The delays violate the 2023 contract, the union said, and could last into 2028, after the current agreement expires. \u201cThe union demands that the company rescind its decision to push back the above referenced launches and immediately plant for and fund the Belvidere investments,\u201d a grievance filed by the union said.<\/p>\n Fain has been sharply critical of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares for threatening job cuts as the company\u2019s\u00a0U.S. sales have faltered this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n U.S.-European automaker Stellantis reported that its net profits fell by half during the first six months of the year largely because of lower sales and restructuring costs.<\/p>\n\n