United Auto Workers (UAW) President Sean Fein speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Mandel and | AFP | Getty Images
DETROIT — The United Auto Workers union said Monday it has filed federal unfair labor practice charges. Strantis Alleged breach of contract terms and attempt to move Dodge Durango production out of the United States
The charges are the latest action by the union against Stellantis, which has drawn the ire of UAW leaders with production cuts, layoffs and other actions since the two sides reached a new contract last year.
“In our 2023 contract, we won significant gains, including commitments to reopen the idled assembly plant in Belvedere, Illinois, and to build the Dodge Durango in Detroit. We also won the right to strike those 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 enforce our contract and hold Stellantis to its commitments.”
Stellantis, which has delayed plans to build the Illinois plant, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The company argued that it “did not violate the commitments made in the investment letter in the 2023 UAW collective bargaining agreement and strongly disputes the union’s allegations.”
Several local UAW chapters covering thousands of members have also filed contract complaints, saying the company is trying to move Dodge Durango production out of the United States, allegedly in violation of the UAW’s national agreement, the union said.
The union did not disclose the timing of the attempted transfer or where the company allegedly hopes to move Durango production.
Citing media reports, a UAW spokesman said the vehicle may be moved to a factory in Ontario, Canada.
The latest copy of the National Labor Relations Board document provided by the United Auto Workers does not mention Durango. It accused the carmaker of “refusing to provide relevant information to the union”.
The NLRB confirmed the UAW’s filing. The union has made multiple public accusations against several U.S. automakers
The UAW said Monday it has filed more than 24 public grievances with Stellantis related to the company’s products and investment plans that are part of the union’s contract with the automaker.
