DETROIT — Stellantis is suing the United Auto Employees, escalating a monthslong battle between the transatlantic automaker and American union, CNBC has discovered.

In an inside message Friday to staff that was confirmed to be genuine, the corporate stated it’s suing the UAW in addition to a neighborhood chapter in California that participated in a strike authorization request vote at Stellantis’ Los Angeles Elements Distribution Middle.

“This lawsuit would maintain each the Worldwide and the native union answerable for the income loss and different damages ensuing from misplaced manufacturing attributable to an illegal strike,” Tobin Williams, Stellantis senior vp of North America human assets, stated within the message.

The lawsuit is meant to “stop and/or treatment a breach of contract” by the UAW, in response to a replica of the grievance that was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court docket within the Central District of California.

A supermajority of UAW members at Stellantis’ Los Angeles Elements Distribution Middle voted to request strike authorization from the Worldwide Govt Board if the corporate and union cannot reconcile, the union stated Friday morning.

The UAW didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Friday afternoon relating to the lawsuit.

The dispute between the 2 sides facilities on the union alleging Stellantis has not stored contractual obligations as a part of a deal the 2 sides reached late final 12 months. It comes after Stellantis has made a number of cuts to plant manufacturing, performed employee layoffs and delayed potential investments outlined as a part of the 2023 contract.

The automaker has argued, together with within the Friday letter to staff, that there is language within the contract that offers it leniency to alter plans primarily based on market situations, plant efficiency and different elements.

UAW President Shawn Fain has routinely stated the union will strike if wanted, nevertheless Stellantis has argued that may be illegal below the contract.

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