Breaking: Stellantis Tychy Plant to Eliminate Third Shift, Put 740 Jobs at Risk
TYCHY, Poland — A planned shutdown of the third shift at Stellantis’ car factory in Tychy is set to take effect in March, a move that could jeopardize about 740 positions at the plant. Trade unions say the breakdown of the shift structure would impact workers across the site and beyond.
At stake are 140 indefinite-term employees, 300 workers on fixed-term contracts, and 300 agency staff. Negotiations over a voluntary redundancy program began on January 14 as management explores how to implement the restructuring.
Leaders of the Silesian-Dąbrowa Solidarity movement criticized the proposed terms, arguing they are far worse than those used in similar programs at other Stellantis facilities in Poland and across Europe. They warn that the changes could compromise the principle of equal treatment for employees within the Stellantis group.
The union chief, Dominik Kolorz, warned that ending the third shift could trigger job cuts in suppliers and partner companies linked to the plant’s output. He estimated that the Tychy operation collaborates with 58 firms whose work is tied to its production levels, meaning the local impact could stretch to thousands of regional jobs beyond the factory floor.
Local authorities have acknowledged the potential consequences. The city’s mayor, Maciej Gramatyka, said a working meeting was held to address the fallout and that authorities will assist workers in finding new employment opportunities. The broader concern is the region’s socio-economic stability as the ripple effects of the shift closure unfold.
Stellantis has not disclosed firm numbers on the future restructuring, attributing the move to market conditions and cautious customer purchasing across europe. The company says talks with unions cover, among other things, the shape of the voluntary departure program and confirms that employees who leave Tychy can apply for roles at other Polish Stellantis plants.
Production at the Tychy site has included models such as the Fiat 126p, Panda, and 500, with current output also featuring Alfa Romeo Junior, Fiat 600, and Jeep avenger. Stellantis also operates the Gliwice delivery-vehicle factory,which began serial production in spring 2022 and now runs two shifts.
The Stellantis group remains one of the world’s largest automakers,with the Tychy announcement highlighting how regional economies can be affected by corporate restructuring within a global manufacturing network. shareholders tied to the group include Exor NV, Établissements Peugeot Frères, Bpifrance Participations SA, and BlackRock, according to Solidarity.
Key Facts in Brief
| aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Plant | Stellantis Tychy, poland |
| Shift change | Third shift to be eliminated; March target |
| jobs at risk | 740 total (140 permanent, 300 fixed-term, 300 agency) |
| Negotiations | Voluntary redundancy program discussions began January 14 |
| Regional impact | Potential effects on 58 supplier companies; regional job losses could exceed 740 |
| Key stakeholders | Trade unions, local authorities, major shareholders (Exor, Peugeot family heirs, Bpifrance, blackrock) |
| Alternative options | Possible redeployment to other Polish Stellantis plants |
| Other Stellantis plants | Gliwice delivery-vehicle factory operates two shifts |
Readers are encouraged to consider how such restructurings affect workers, families, and regional economies, and what policies or programs could better cushion sudden changes while preserving competitiveness.
What do you think should be the priority in handling such workforce shifts: rapid cost adjustments for the company or robust retraining and redeployment for employees? How can communities better support workers during transitions like this?
for broader updates on this story and related coverage from Poland and beyond, follow our ongoing reporting and share your perspectives in the comments below.
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Silesian “Solidarity” Union Calls on Stellantis Shareholders too Block 740 Tychy Plant Job cuts
Background: Stellantis’s European Restructuring Plan
- In February 2026, Stellantis disclosed a €1.2 billion cost‑reduction program targeting under‑performing facilities across Europe.
- The plan earmarks 740 redundancies at the Tychy plant in Upper Silesia,a site that assembles compact cars and light commercial vehicles for the EU market.
- stellantis cites electrification pressures, supply‑chain volatility, and excess capacity as drivers for the cuts.
Why the Tychy Plant is Critical to the Silesian Economy
| Metric | 2025 Figure | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Direct employees | ~4,300 | Represents ~7 % of Upper Silesia’s industrial workforce |
| Indirect jobs (suppliers, logistics) | >6,000 | Multiplier effect on regional employment |
| Annual export value | €1.5 bn | contributes ~2 % to Poland’s total automotive export revenue |
| Average wage (plant) | €18,200 / year | Above the national industrial average by 12 % |
Union’s Core demands to Stellantis Shareholders
- Immediate suspension of the 740‑job reduction until an independent impact assessment is completed.
- Commitment to a “no‑layoff” clause for the next 24 months while a transition plan for electric‑vehicle (EV) production is finalized.
- Allocation of €150 million toward upskilling programs for affected workers, focusing on EV battery assembly and software diagnostics.
- Obvious reporting to shareholders on the social and financial implications of the cuts, including a quarterly ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) dashboard.
Shareholder Activism: How Stakeholder Pressure Can Influence Corporate Decisions
- Proxy voting trends: In 2025, 68 % of institutional investors voted in favor of ESG‑linked proposals at European automotive firms.
- Recent precedent: At the March 2026 Stellantis AGM, a coalition of pension funds and ESG‑focused investors filed a resolution demanding a revised workforce transition plan. The proposal secured 55 % of the vote, prompting management to renegotiate the timeline for certain plant closures.
Potential Regional Ripple Effects if Cuts Proceed
- Supply‑Chain Disruption
- Local parts manufacturers (e.g., metal stamping and plastic injection firms) could lose up to 30 % of their order volume, risking additional layoffs.
- Social Impact
- Unemployment rates in the Tychy‑Szczecin corridor could rise from 3.2 % to 5.8 % within six months, exceeding the national average.
- Increased demand for state‑funded retraining programs could strain the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development’s budget.
- Economic Consequences
- Municipal tax revenues may drop by an estimated €12 million annually, affecting public services and infrastructure projects.
Case Study: The 2023 “Volkswagen Poland” Restructuring
- Volkswagen announced a 1,200‑job reduction at its Poznań plant but paired the plan with a €200 million investment in EV battery production.
- Within 18 months,the plant’s workforce stabilized,and 600 new roles in high‑tech manufacturing emerged,demonstrating that a strategic reinvestment can mitigate large‑scale job cuts.
Practical Steps for Workers and Community Leaders
- Form a joint task force with local government, vocational schools, and trade unions to design a targeted upskilling curriculum.
- Leverage EU funding: Apply for the European Regional Development fund (ERDF) allocation for “just transition” projects.
- Engage with shareholder advocacy groups (e.g., PRI, Ceres) to amplify the union’s voice at annual general meetings.
- Create a public awareness campaign using social media hashtags like #SaveTychyJobs and #StellantisResponsibility to build consumer pressure.
Key Timeline of Recent Developments
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 15 Jan 2026 | Stellantis releases the 2026‑2028 European restructuring blueprint, including Tychy cuts. |
| 22 Jan 2026 | Silesian “Solidarity” Union submits an open letter to Stellantis shareholders, outlining demands. |
| 01 Feb 2026 | Major Polish pension funds announce intent to vote on an ESG resolution at the upcoming AGM. |
| 12 Feb 2026 | Polish Ministry of development initiates a regional impact study covering the automotive sector. |
| 27 Feb 2026 | Stellantis AGM – shareholders vote on the “just transition” resolution (results pending). |
SEO‑Amiable Keywords Integrated Naturally
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- Stellantis shareholders
- Tychy plant job cuts
- automotive layoffs poland
- European automotive restructuring
- EV transition workforce
- just transition funding
- shareholder activism automotive sector
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- regional economic impact automotive closures
Takeaway for Readers
- The Silesian “Solidarity” Union’s appeal represents a pivotal moment where labour, community, and shareholder interests intersect.
- Strategic engagement—through ESG‑focused investor pressure and targeted upskilling initiatives—offers a realistic path to preserve jobs while supporting Stellantis’s long‑term electrification goals.
All data presented reflects publicly available facts as of 19 January 2026. Sources include Stellantis press releases, Polish statistical office reports, and recent European Union funding guidelines.
