The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing two of the major automakers, accusing General Motors and Stellantis, which includes Chrysler, of discrimination and sexual harassment of employees.
The companies were accused of imposing a sick and accident benefits policy in their collective bargaining agreement that reduces benefits for older workers who receive Social Security benefits since October 2019.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said the policy, which applies to at least 50 plants nationwide, discriminates against workers aged 66 and older, in violation of the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Meanwhile, FCA's US unit, Stellantis, has been accused of widespread sexual harassment of female employees at its Detroit assembly plant. Since 2020, their complaints have been routinely ignored by male managers and colleagues, some of whom have been appointed to senior positions.
The lawsuits seek benefits to which workers aged 66 and older were entitled but never received, as well as compensatory and punitive damages for the female workers at the Detroit plant.