The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) and its Local 1327 have taken legal action against an employer for allegedly breaching a collective bargaining agreement. This complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on February 6, 2026, targeting Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership. The plaintiffs accuse the defendant of failing to adhere to agreed-upon standards regarding apprenticeship admissions and refusing to arbitrate grievances as stipulated in their collective bargaining agreement.
According to the lawsuit, UAW and UAW Local 1327 represent employees at Freudenberg-NOK’s facility in Findlay, Ohio. The union alleges that Freudenberg-NOK has violated the collective bargaining agreement by not admitting a qualified union member, Gavin McDonald, into its skilled trades apprenticeship program. Despite meeting all necessary criteria outlined in the agreement, McDonald’s application was rejected based on an unilaterally imposed evaluation form that added unauthorized admission requirements. The union claims this is a breach of contract under Section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947.
The dispute dates back to a series of violations beginning around 2014 when Freudenberg-NOK allegedly began disregarding agreed-upon standards for apprenticeship programs. These issues culminated in June 2025 when McDonald was denied entry into the program despite being the only applicant who met all minimum qualifications. Following this denial, UAW filed Grievance No. 25-07 but encountered resistance from Freudenberg-NOK, which refused to proceed with arbitration as required by their agreement.
In response to these alleged breaches, UAW seeks several remedies from the court. They request that Freudenberg-NOK be compelled to process Grievance No. 25-07 through arbitration or alternatively be found in breach of contract for denying McDonald’s admission into the apprenticeship program without just cause. Additionally, they seek financial compensation for McDonald’s lost wages and benefits due to his exclusion from the program and demand that any unauthorized evaluation forms or scoring methods be discontinued immediately.
The legal representation for UAW includes attorneys Kristin Seifert Watson and Lane C. Hagar from Cloppert, Latanick, Sauter & Washburn based in Columbus, Ohio, along with Joyce Goldstein from Joyce Goldstein & Associates located in Cleveland, Ohio. The case is identified under Case No. 3:26-cv-313 and awaits adjudication by judges at the Northern District Court of Ohio.
Source: 326cv00313_International_Union_v_UAW_Local_1327_Complaint_Northern_District_Ohio.pdf
