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.”
Stellantis denied that it's violating the contract and said that like all automakers, it is managing how and when it brings new vehicles into the market in order to be competitive. “We will communicate our plans to the UAW at the appropriate time,” the company said in a statement.
Many union members fear that if the automaker breaks its commitment to restart the Belvidere factory, it won’t keep other promises made in the new United Auto Workers contract, which runs through April of 2028. They worry, in particular, that the automaker could move production to factories in lower-cost Mexico.
Stellantis has said it still intends to reopen Belvidere and also build a battery plant and parts warehouse there, but needs to delay them because of unfavorable market conditions. It did not give dates for the changes. At stake are over 2,700 jobs.
The company agreed to reopen Belvidere Assembly in 2027, with plans to build up to 100,000 electric and gas-powered midsize pickups annually. It also agreed to open the parts hub this year and the battery factory in 2028. In all, the company pledged $18.9 billion of U.S. investments during the contract, which runs until April 2028.
It also agreed to build gas and electric versions of the next generation of Durango at Jefferson North starting in 2026.
The letter said Stellantis and the UAW agree that investment and jobs in North America are “contingent upon plant performance, changes in market conditions, and consumer demand continuing to generate sustainable and profitable (sales) volumes.”
This story has been corrected to change the reason for the union filing an unfair labor practice charge. It was filed over the company's alleged refusal to give the UAW information on a potential move of Dodge Durango production to Canada.
FILE - An entrance to the Stellantis factory in Belvidere. Ill., is shown on July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
CLEVELAND (AP) — Brayan Rocchio singled in Andrés Giménez with the winning run as the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians scored three times in the 10th inning to beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 on Wednesday night, reducing their magic number for clinching a playoff berth to one.
Kyle Manzardo and Will Brennan had RBI singles off Ronny Henriquez (1-1) before Michael Tonkin entered and gave up Rocchio’s second career walk-off hit, a chopper to right through a drawn-in infield.
Josh Naylor hit a pair of solo homers and scored three times for Cleveland, which leads the division by 5 1/2 games over Kansas City. Naylor’s first shot was a 445-foot rocket to right-center, giving him his first 30-homer season.
Carlos Correa had a two-run single off Hunter Gaddis (5-3) that gave the Twins a 4-2 lead in the top of the 10th. Correa finished with four RBIs and extended his hitting streak to 16 games, matching his career high with Houston in 2019.
Minnesota entered the night with a 1 1/2-game lead over Detroit for the final AL wild-card position.
Twins right-hander Bailey Ober struck out a career-high 12 over seven innings, but remained winless in seven starts since Aug. 9. He allowed two runs without issuing a walk.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee worked 6 2/3 innings and gave up two runs. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA in four games against Minnesota this season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: OF Trevor Larnach (hamstring), who has a career-high 15 homers, served as the designated hitter for his sixth game in a row. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Larnach should return to his regular spot in left field before the start of the postseason.
Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (right third finger blister), who is eligible to come off the injured list on Sept. 24, will determine whether he throws a simulated game or makes a start for Triple-A Columbus. “Really, Alex is driving the bus on this,” manager Stephen Vogt said.
UP NEXT
Twins RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (5-5, 4.08 ERA) faces Guardians LHP Joey Cantillo (2-3, 4.99 ERA) in the four-game series finale.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee tosses to first base to get out Minnesota Twins' Christian Vazquez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor catches a fly by hit by Minnesota Twins' Jose Miranda during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio misplays the ball hit by Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa hits into a fielders choice during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. Willi Castro scored on the play.(AP Photo/David Dermer)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez flips the ball to shortstop Brayan Rocchio to get out Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
