August 11th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
Dow Jones reports that Chrysler is boosting production as the government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program continues to pump demand, reducing the number of vehicles available at dealers.
Sources in the United Auto Workers union say employees at the Warren Plant were told they will work overtime Saturday shifts on Aug. 29, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26 [...]
July 25th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
It appears the days are numbered for California’s last automotive production facility. Sources with knowledge of the situation say the Japanese automaker will most likely wind down its share of the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant it once shared with General Motors, ending the employment of the only UAW workers building Toyota products.
On Thursday, [...]
May 20th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
President Barack Obama has announced sweeping new fuel efficiency and emissions standards for American vehicles. The proposed standards include the first-ever U.S. government regulation of greenhouse gases and would end the dispute between California and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Speaking at the White House, the President said “Right now, the rules governing fuel economy in this [...]
May 19th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
Chrysler will be using government-provided funds to offer improved buyout packages to certain union workers. The affected employees work at the six Chrysler plants slated for closure unless they can be sold.
The money will come from the “debtor-in-possession” financing Chrysler is receiving from the U.S. Treasury. The factories are part of the assets that will [...]
May 18th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Workers at factories that are to be closed or sold have been offered early retirement. The plan covers hourly workers at Sterling Heights, Conner Avenue, St. Louis North, St. Louis South, Twinsburg Stamping, and Kenosha Engine; those whose combined age and years with the company are more than 85 years, and who are over 60 [...]
May 13th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Bloomberg (as reported in Automotive News) has discovered that the UAW has agreed not to strike against Chrysler until September 2015, instead relying on binding arbitration. The contract finalized on April 29, 2009, will expire in September 2011; changes can be negotiated but any unresolved differences will be arbitrated. The contract cuts health care benefits, [...]
May 13th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
Although Chrysler’s U.S. employee levels are the lowest they have been in 74 years, the company will be looking at more buyouts for hourly employees after the Detroit automaker emerges from bankruptcy and its alliance with Fiat is finalized.
In a letter to UAW Vice President General Holiefield, Chrysler said special attrition programs to be designed [...]