UAW chooses Fiat Chrysler as target in contract talks

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union said Sunday that it chose Fiat Chrysler as its target company in ongoing contract negotiations with Detroit automakers.

Fiat Chrysler — the smallest of the three companies — now becomes the focus of bargaining and could be hit with a strike if negotiations stall. A deal with FCA will also set a general pattern for contracts at General Motors and Ford.

All three companies officially kicked off bargaining for new four-year contracts in July. The current contracts expire Monday but likely will be extended. The contracts cover around 140,000 U.S. factory workers.

In a statement, UAW President Dennis Williams said all three automakers are "working hard" to reach an agreement and will continue negotiating even as the UAW turns its focus to FCA. FCA confirmed its selection but said it would have no further comment.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c6db57d83c024c9ba569fc2425930b93/uaw-chooses-fiat-chrysler-target-contract-talks

[Major Hogwash]

1. Those 4-year contracts are used as political footballs by the corporatists.

If the unions signed 3-year contracts, the unions would be better off because they could back in a shorter time period and ask for better working conditions and more money without political interference getting in the way.

As for Fiats, those cars are way too small for me.
I can't imagine what it would be like to drive one cramped up in one of those "e-car" types like they have in Europe.