Stellantis is suing the United Auto Workers, escalating a monthslong battle between the trans-Atlantic automaker and American union, CNBC has learned. In an internal message to employees that was confirmed to be authentic,

DETROIT (Reuters) - Automaker Stellantis has filed a lawsuit against the United Auto Workers in federal court in California, claiming the union's actions around possible strikes illegal. The carmaker will seek to hold the UAW and the local union chapter liable for the revenue loss and other damages resulting from lost production due to any strike.

The United Auto Workers union said on Friday that members at Stellantis' Los Angeles parts distribution center voted in favor of authorizing a strike if the carmaker failed to settle grievances with the union over investments in the U.