UAW Strikes Chrysler As Deadline Passes

uho.. the strike is still on


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Workers Walk Off Job

POSTED: 4:35 am PDT October 10, 2007
UPDATED: 8:41 am PDT October 10, 2007

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Thousands of Chrysler workers have started walking off the job.

This, after the automaker and the United Auto Workers union failed to agree on a tentative contract before the 11 a.m. EDT deadline set by the union.

The strike is the first by the UAW against Chrysler since 1997, and the first against Chrysler during contract talks since 1985.

There's no official word yet from the union or from Chrysler on whether a nationwide strike is under way. The union had said without an agreement, about 49,000 workers would leave their jobs at 24 U.S. factories and other sites.

The UAW struck GM for two days before agreeing on a tentative pact last month. There's still no agreement with Ford.

About an hour before the 11 a.m. deadline, it was reported that progress was being made but one person briefed on the talks said several key issues remain unresolved.

Chrysler entered the talks seeking health care cost concessions that the UAW has already granted to GM and Ford. Also at issue is how much Chrysler will pay into a company-funded, union-run trust that would take over health care costs for retirees. Those costs are estimated at $18 billion.

If no agreement is reached, about 49,000 workers are expected to walk off their jobs at 24 factories around the country, as well as other sites.



Source: http://www.knbc.com/automotive/14307181/detail.html?treets=la&tml=la_natlbreak&ts=T&tmi=la_natlbreak_1_10250210102007