The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court's decision to dismiss claims made by Lorenzo Williams against Ford Motor Company and the United Autoworkers Union. The court's ruling, issued on November 4, 2026, confirms that Williams's claims were barred by the statute of limitations. This decision affects workers who may consider legal action against their employers or unions for discrimination or unfair representation.

The case, Lorenzo Williams v. Ford Motor Co., was filed under docket number 26-1511. Williams alleged that he faced discrimination during his employment at Ford and claimed that the Union failed to adequately represent him after he was fired. The court's ruling clarifies the importance of timely filing claims and the consequences of failing to do so.

Background

Lorenzo Williams was employed by Ford Motor Company from March to June 2019. He was terminated during his probationary period, which led the United Autoworkers Union to initially file a grievance on his behalf. However, the Union withdrew this grievance in July 2021 after determining that Williams's termination was due to job performance issues.

In January 2022, Williams filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), claiming that the Union breached its duty of fair representation by not pursuing his grievance to arbitration. The NLRB dismissed his charge in February 2022. Williams attempted to appeal this decision, but the NLRB refused to consider his appeal due to its untimeliness.

In June 2025, Williams filed a lawsuit against Ford and the Union, bringing forth various state and federal claims. The district court granted summary judgment to Ford on Williams's claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act and dismissed his claims under Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act. Additionally, the court dismissed Williams's claims against the Union for intentional infliction of emotional distress and for unfair representation under Section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act.

The Ruling

The Sixth Circuit Court, consisting of Judges R. Guy Cole, Jr., Jeffrey S. Sutton, and Amul R. Thapar, affirmed the lower court's decision. The court noted that Williams's appellate brief was lacking, containing only one page of argument. The judges emphasized that failure to adequately raise arguments in an opening brief can result in forfeiting those issues on appeal.

The court specifically addressed Williams's claims against Ford, ruling that they were barred by the statute of limitations. Williams needed to file his claims by June 2023, but he did not submit his complaint until June 2025. The court stated, "Since Williams's § 1981 claims are time-barred, we affirm the district court's dismissal of those claims."

Regarding the claims against the Union, the court found that they were also untimely. The judges noted that the Union had informed Williams of its decision to withdraw the grievance in July 2021, and he should have known of the Union's final action by January 2022. The court ruled that the statute of limitations for these claims expired in July 2022, and since Williams filed his lawsuit in June 2025, the claims were dismissed as well.

Impact

This ruling serves as a reminder for employees about the importance of understanding and adhering to statutory deadlines when filing claims against employers or unions. The court's decision reinforces the idea that employees must act promptly and cannot rely on later events to extend the time frame for filing claims.

The ruling may also impact how unions handle grievances and represent their members. Unions must ensure they are acting within the legal framework to protect the rights of their members and avoid potential claims of unfair representation. The decision highlights the potential consequences of delays in addressing grievances and the importance of timely communication with union members.

What's Next

Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether Williams plans to appeal the decision or if there are any related cases pending. However, the ruling from the Sixth Circuit stands as a significant legal precedent regarding the timeliness of claims in labor disputes.