The United Auto Workers’ rift with Stellantis widened Monday as the union filed federal labor charges over possibly moving production of an SUV out of the country.
The union said it filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board accusing Stellantis of illegally refusing to release information about plans to move Dodge Durango production from a Detroit factory to one in Canada.
The union also has filed grievances over the Durango and company delays in reopening a vehicle assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, as well as build a parts distribution center and electric vehicle battery plant there. The UAW has threatened to strike on that issue.
The union says it based the unfair labor practices charge on media reports that the Durango would be moved from the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit.
The company committed to the Belvidere additions as well as Durango production in the union’s new contract, reached last fall after a six-week strike, the UAW said.
In a statement, union President Shawn Fain said the contract gives the UAW the right to strike over contractual commitments to build vehicles in the U.S. “Now Stellantis wants to go back on the deal,” he said. “We intend to enforce our contract and to make Stellantis keep the promise.”