Barra Gets Half: Appeals Court Nixes Make-Nice Meeting Between GM, Fiat Chrysler

General Motors saw half of its wishes granted this week, after an appeals court overturned an order by U.S. District Judge Paul Borman for the CEOs of GM and Fiat Chrysler to meet and settle their differences in person.

GM is suing FCA, accusing its crosstown rival of racketeering and claiming it lost billions of dollars via FCA’s bribing of UAW officials in return for a series of favorable, low-cost labor agreements. The General wants to go all the way with its case, but Borman stepped in, calling the suit a “nuclear” option. The in-person meeting is now off the table, but Borman’s still on the case.

Part of GM’s appeal sought Borman’s removal from the case; alas, this was not to be.

As reported by The Associated Press (via The Detroit News), the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals kiboshed the request for GM CEO Mary Barra and FCA CEO Mike Manley to meet in person and work out their differences. Had GM not appealed, that meeting would have occurred sometime last week.

Stating that Borman abused his power by calling for the meeting, the appeals court nonetheless said the judge could still order “a pretrial settlement conference and/or mediation in the normal course.”

The cozy relationship that existed between UAW officials and FCA officials tasked with bargaining with them has been well established by the ongoing federal probe into corruption among the union’s upper ranks. The fact that FCA’s former labor chief is currently cooling his heels in prison is testament to that fact. Still, FCA reiterated its earlier claim that GM’s lawsuit is baseless, vowing to fight its rival in any way necessary.

Just as unbowed, GM pledged to continue the battle.

“This is an important case because former FCA executives have already admitted they conspired to use bribes to gain labor benefits, concessions and advantages,” the automaker said in a statement. “As the facts will show, their corruption caused direct harm to GM and we have a responsibility to our stakeholders seek justice and hold FCA accountable.”

[Image: General Motors]