UAW Union Files Labor Lawsuit Against Stellantis, Accuses Automaker of Violating Contract

Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers union, with UAW members at a General Motors Service Parts Operations plant in Belleville, Michigan. (Jim Watson/AFP - Getty Images file) — United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain with UAW members at a General Motors parts plant in Belleville, Michigan, on September 26, 2023.

DETROIT — The United Auto Workers union announced Monday that it has filed federal unfair labor practice charges against Stellantis for allegedly violating contract terms and attempting to move production of the Dodge Durango out of the United States.

The charges are the latest action by the union against Stellantis, which has drawn the ire of UAW leaders for production cuts, layoffs and other actions since the two sides reached a new contract last year.

“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,” UAW President Shawn 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, which has delayed its plans for the Illinois plant, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The company argued in August that it “did not violate commitments made in the investment letter included in the UAW’s 2023 collective bargaining agreement and strongly opposes the union’s accusations.”

The union said several UAW locals covering thousands of members have also filed contract grievances over what they claim is the company’s attempt to move production of the Dodge Durango out of the United States, allegedly in violation of the UAW’s national agreement.

The union did not disclose when the attempted move took place or where the company reportedly wanted to move Durango production.

A UAW spokeswoman cited media reports that the vehicle could be moved to a plant in Ontario, Canada.

A copy of the latest National Labor Relations Board filing provided by the UAW does not mention the Durango. It accuses the automaker of “refusing to provide the union with relevant information.”

The NLRB has upheld the UAW’s complaint. The union has several pending charges against several automakers in the United States.

The UAW said Monday it has more than 24 open grievances against Stellantis over the company’s product and investment plans disclosed under the union’s contract with the automaker.

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