March 19, 2019—The former head of the United Auto Workers’ unit representing workers at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV department was charged by federal prosecutors in Detroit with conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, becoming the highest-ranked union official yet caught up in the investigation, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Norwood Jewell is the latest former UAW or company official charged by the U.S. over allegations that, starting in 2009 or earlier, millions of dollars were funneled from the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles training center to union leaders to buy labor peace.
Automakers and the UAW are gearing up for new labor negotiations this year. Contracts covering more than 150,000 U.S. hourly workers at General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Fiat Chrysler expire Sept. 15 and talks are expected to officially begin this summer, according to the report.
UAW officials have denied the scandal compromised collective bargaining agreements with Fiat Chrysler.