UAW gathers Chrysler locals Monday

DETROIT -- The UAW has called its Chrysler local leaders here on Monday, Oct. 15, to vote on the new four-year contract with Chrysler LLC.

The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. at Cobo Center, union sources say. Local and regional benefit representatives are scheduled to hear the contract provisions at 12:30 p.m. so they can later answer questions from workers.

Once Chrysler local officials approve the contract, they will schedule ratification votes by the rank and file.

The four-year agreement -- reached after a six-hour strike Wednesday, Oct. 10 -- affects 45,000 active UAW-represented workers at 31 U.S. factories and technical centers. Retirees also have a big stake in the ratification, although they aren’t eligible to vote.

The contract includes a retiree health care benefit trust, a $3,000 signing bonus and annual lump-sum bonuses for the last three years of the contract.

Newly hired workers in nonproduction jobs will be paid about half the current wage of $28 an hour.

Unlike General Motors, Chrysler did not make broad commitments to produce new products. Instead, Chrysler promised to continue producing its current lineup.