Stellantis is preparing to file a lawsuit on Tuesday against the United Auto Workers (UAW) and UAW Local 186, contesting a strike authorization vote held last week by employees at the Denver Parts Distribution Center (PDC). The automaker argues that the vote violated the grievance procedure outlined in the 2023 UAW-Stellantis Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Stellantis asserts that this breach of process renders any potential strike action illegal.
The grievance process in the CBA involves three steps, each giving Stellantis a designated period to respond before further action can be taken. According to the automaker, the UAW educated its members on this process during a Facebook Live update. However, UAW Local 186 reportedly held a strike authorization vote before completing the third step, making the vote premature and unlawful. It remains unclear whether the local union acted independently or under instructions from UAW International.
This lawsuit is part of a broader legal strategy by Stellantis, as the company intends to file two additional suits on Tuesday against UAW locals for alleged violations of their contractual obligations. Specifically, Stellantis is challenging the unions’ failure to respect its business decision-making discretion, as outlined in Investment Letter 311, and their decision to call for mid-contract strikes based on unresolved grievances.
Stellantis is resolute in its intention to pursue legal action to the conclusion and is seeking monetary damages in the lawsuits.
