UAW, Chrysler appear near on contract
United Auto Workers leaders have scored what is described as perhaps decisive victories in their quest to ratify their contract proposal to Chrysler.
In key action Wednesday, union locals representing an estimated 9,300 workers at two assembly and two stamping plants in the Detroit area voted overwhelmingly to accept the new four-year agreement.
The Detroit Free Press reported that 56 percent of the Chrysler union workers have voted for the contract. Locals representing an estimated 90 percent of UAW's 45,000 Chrysler members have weighed in on the agreement, which was reached Oct. 10 after a 6 1/2-hour strike.
Yet to vote is a large assembly plant in Belvidere, Ill., with balloting among its 3,400 members expected to begin Friday.
At least 21 locals, representing an estimated 22,000 workers, are known to have accepted it. Supporters said it is the best deal possible in a turbulent industry and that it protects jobs.
A total of eight locals, representing an estimated 16,300 workers, have rejected the deal, which opponents say lacks enough future job guarantees and would weaken the union with a two-tier wage system.
The proposed contract, which is similar to what General Motors workers accepted Oct. 10, shifts retiree healthcare obligations from the automaker to a trust under the auspices of the UAW and sets up a two-tier wage system in which new hires to so-called non-core jobs will be paid about half as much as core workers. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International
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