FCA US To Bat Leadoff In UAW Talks, Marchionne To Miss Frankfurt

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

The UAW has chosen FCA US to bat leadoff in the union’s contract talks with the Detroit Three, prompting CEO Sergio Marchionne to forgo Frankfurt.

The move by the union to go after the weakest of the Detroit Three is meant to establish how all of the contract talks this month will proceed, Automotive News writes, with the possibility of striking out should the union not receive what they seek; the last UAW strike occurred with General Motors in 2007.

Part of the decision may lay with FCA’s extensive employment of Tier 2 workers, with 45 percent of the automaker’s 37,000 hourly employees working for entry-level wages and benefits. The overall goal for the UAW is to close the gap between the two-tier wage system among the Detroit Three, with increasing Tier 1 wages and establishing a health care pool also on the table.

One result of the union’s decision, according to The Detroit News, is Marchionne’s withdrawal from the second media day of the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show this week to focus on the upcoming talks. Marchionne is alone in his decision, however, as General Motors CEO Mary Barra will make her scheduled appearance.

Photo credit: FCA

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Dwford Dwford on Sep 14, 2015

    Makes sense. Sergio has said in the past that the 2 tier wages should be eliminated, which the union really wants.

  • TomLU86 TomLU86 on Sep 14, 2015

    Sergio's genius is in extracting huge amounts of money from taxpayers and shareholders by perpetuating the perceptions that thanks to him, Chrysler has turned around, and he is a deep thinker. Puhhhhlll-ease! I'm sure any one of Chrysler's sr execs could have done as well, and Lutz would have done better.

    • Highdesertcat Highdesertcat on Sep 14, 2015

      "I’m sure any one of Chrysler’s sr execs could have done as well..." Nardelli.

  • Zip89123 Zip89123 on Sep 14, 2015

    Looks like the union doesn't want much this time around. I suspect there will be a quick agreement and business as usual. I doubt they're going after Marchionne due to prior statements.

  • Civarlo Civarlo on Oct 25, 2015

    "You build plants in Spartansburg, SC or Chattannooga, TN if you want to capture a weak dislocated population to exploit." So says X here. Hey X, for all the crowing and chest-thumping that you do about your academic pedigree, you sure could use a brush-up on your geography or basic spelling. It's -Spartanburg-, SC. Look it up. Come out from behind your avatar with a real name and face, and you'll likely find out quickly how "weak" the people of those cities are NOT.

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