International Newsletter Stellantis No. 30 February 2026: International Day of Action Stellantis on March 24: What is it about and how do we prepare?

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We will not allow ourselves to be divided into “losing plants” and “winning plants”! In its message to the conference, CGT Stellantis France expressly supported the day of action. Many trade unions in Europe are discussing possible joint actions. We invite all forces of the labor movement to work together. The elected spokespersons of the group coordination have agreed on March 24, 2026, as the date for the day of action.

The joint call for action was published in early February. You can also find it in six languages on the website www.automotiveworkers.org. It is being distributed in Brazil, Mexico, Italy, India, the USA, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Serbia, Great Britain, Hungary, Argentina, Portugal, and Morocco.

What is the situation at Stellantis?

Meanwhile, the deep structural crisis at Stellantis and in the European auto industry is obvious. Stellantis has announced that it will write off $22 billion in investments and reverse course back to combustion engines. This is an economic dead end, and continuing to rely on fossil fuels is a crime against the environment and the future of humanity! Stellantis is in line with reactionary and fascist “climate deniers” on this issue.

On May 21, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa plans to announce his “strategy” for the group. He should know in advance that we will not accept job cuts, plant closures, and increased exploitation without a fight. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Poissy, France, where production is to be shut down, and we stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Tychy, Poland, where over 700 jobs are to be destroyed.

Our day of action is intended to encourage and guide our colleagues, who often have little confidence in their own strength in the face of these attacks. For example, at Opel in Eisenach, Germany, and at Fiat in Melfi, Italy, some active trade unionists have left the company with severance payments. On the other hand, in Turin, Italy, the major trade unions organized a strike and demonstration by 4,000 colleagues in the automotive industry on February 13. The employees there are primarily fighting against extreme working conditions.

This shows that it is not the all-clear for us workers when a factory is supposedly “safe.” Some are to be fired, others are to do their work—but not with us! We oppose this with our joint demand for a 30-hour week with full wage compensation. We also reject the switch to arms production. We do not want to build murder weapons against workers in other countries. This is becoming a burning issue in the current situation of growing acute danger of world war and acute fascist danger in many countries. In Germany, fascist lists are running in the works council elections in some companies. However, there is also a strong anti-fascist movement, including trade union events.

What will happen on March 24?

Our day of action serves as an initial declaration of war on the corporate leadership, but also as encouragement to our colleagues that we can build a strong united front within the corporation. The activities in the various plants will certainly vary greatly. There can be no uniform plan because the conditions, the balance of power, and the legal situation vary from country to country and from plant to plant. If it is possible to call for a strike on the day of action, then that is very good. We know from plants in Italy and Germany that rallies are being prepared in front of the gates at shift change, together with as many colleagues as possible.

Banners are made, speeches are prepared, but music and food are also important. Everyone can contribute something. It has proven successful to allow colleagues to sign a large banner to show their support for our demands. Discussions in the run-up to the event in workplaces and trade unions are crucial to its success. It is a matter of daily persuasion to encourage colleagues to overcome illusions and reservations.

In some plants, there will be meetings at work, during breaks or during working hours. France has suggested producing stickers in preparation. Who can take on the design of such a sticker? Who can design a poster for the day of action and for May 1? In the USA, the UAWD newspaper “Daily Struggle” is publishing an interview with three representatives of the IAC, where the day of action is also being publicized.

It is important that you inform the corporate coordination and ask your questions. We want to publish another international newsletter before the day of action. And please feel free to send statements, calls to action, and experience reports in preparation for the day of action to the website www.automotiveworkers.org so that everyone can stay informed.

What is our common message?

Whatever the actions on that day may be, a common message should emanate from every location: We will not wait for your attacks, but declare together as the group's workforce:

No to plant closures and layoffs—no plant stands alone!

For a 30-hour week with full pay compensation across the group!

This can be written on banners, stickers, posters, and signs, reinforced by videos from the plants, or supplemented with your own appeals and demands.

What happens next?

The day of action also serves to gather strength and unite for further actions, which should be stepped up. We propose that on May 1, we also present a united front with our common message on banners and posters at rallies throughout the cities where Stellantis plants are located. Then comes “Day X” on May 21, when Filosa plans to announce his plans. This will also be an occasion for action. In order for one action to build on another, we need your experience reports. Tell us about discussions with colleagues, their hopes and illusions, their doubts and fears, their suggestions and questions, and perhaps also their concerns about our positions on electric mobility or arms production.

Proletarians of all countries, unite!