General Motors won a round in federal court.

A federal judge threw out a lawsuit brought against GM by the United Auto Workers challenging the legalities of a new Japanese-style labor relations concept that the company introduced at its Van Nuys plant in May. The dismissal by U.S. District Judge Alicemarie Stotler is seen as a setback to efforts by UAW shop Chairman Peter Z. Beltran to alter or abandon the team concept. “I think, in a manner of speaking, we were clobbered,” Beltran said, “but we are looking at alternatives.” Last week, Beltran gave the auto maker a 60-day strike notice if the team concept is not changed.