UAW files unfair labor practice lawsuit against Stellantis over contract

(CBS DETROIT) — The United Auto Workers union filed federal unfair labor practice charges against Stellantis with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday, saying the automaker is violating its contract commitments and trying to move production of the Dodge Durango out of the United States.

The UAW says several local unions have filed contract grievances against the automaker, claiming Stellantis is refusing to provide information about its plans for product commitments made under the collective bargaining agreement. Collective agreement 2023.

The Durango is assembled at the Jefferson North plant in Detroit. Stellantis has a portfolio of 14 brands, including Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Fiat and Maserati.

Union President Shawn Fain will address the issue during a Facebook Live broadcast at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The live stream will also be available on the UAW’s YouTube channel and other social media accounts, according to a news release.

“In our 2023 contract, we secured significant gains, including a commitment to reopen a idled assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, and to build the Dodge Durango in Detroit. We also won the right to strike over these commitments, if we must,” Fain said in a statement. “Now, Stellantis wants to renege on the agreement. As a united UAW, we intend to uphold our contract and hold Stellantis to its promise.”

Stellantis issued the following response:

“Stellantis has not received the filing and has not had an opportunity to review the charge. The company has not violated the commitments made in the investment letter included in the UAW’s 2023 collective bargaining agreement. Like all of our competitors, Stellantis attempts to carefully manage how and when we bring new vehicles to market with a focus on improving our competitiveness and ensuring our future sustainability and growth. We will communicate our plans to the UAW at the appropriate time.”

UAW and Stellantis have been at odds this year after the union accused the automaker of delaying the reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant in IllinoisThe plant remained idle in 2023, but under the 2023 contract, the automaker committed to reopening the plant.

In August 2024, the UAW threatens to strike over delay in plant reopeningsaying Stellantis has been “unresponsive” to discussions about staying on track to open Belvidere and that the breach impacts other commitments the automaker made under the contract.

On Monday, the UAW said more than a dozen local unions have filed grievances over the delay in reopening the Belvidere plant.

“Stellantis is one of the most profitable automakers on the planet and makes money off the American market,” Kevin Gotinsky of the UAW’s Stellantis division said in a statement. “UAW members generate that profit and build the product that keeps this company running. We will take action if necessary to prevent Stellantis from violating our contract and abandoning American workers.”

Last week, Stellantis announced that it was Investing More Than $400 Million in Three Michigan Facilitiesone of which will be used to build an all-electric vehicle. The investments will go to the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, Warren Truck Assembly Plant and Dundee Engine Plant, according to a news release.

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