Hell Mo, We Won't Go: Chrysler Workers Reject New Contract

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

God knows how the United Auto Workers' leadership thought they could strip the already contentious GM contract of its job guarantees and sell it to 45k Chrysler members. While the union was entranced by another multi-billion dollar bribe contribution to the Mother of All Health Care VEBA Superfunds, Chrysler workers were listening to WII-FM (What's In It For Me?). Despite a whack on their heads six-hour strike, some members have decided the contract isn't in their best interests. The AP is reporting that UAW workers at Chrysler's St. Louis (MO) plant have rejected the new deal by a staggering 80 percent. Their thumbs-down follows a thumbs-up by 800 workers at Chrysler's Kinosha (WI) engine plant– by an equal though opposite margin. Interestingly, only 1400 of 2100 Missouri workers voted (disinterested or fear of reprisals?). AP reporter Jim Salter didn't speculate on the final outcome, but he did set the scene for the struggle to come: "The votes come as UAW officials in Detroit stepped up efforts to convince the rank-and-file to approve the pact in the face of dissent by a top bargainer." We'd love to know the exact nature of those "stepped-up" efforts.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Gcmustanglx Gcmustanglx on Oct 19, 2007

    sounds like this might get interesting. maybe they will go for an 8 hour strike next time.

  • Ryan Knuckles Ryan Knuckles on Oct 19, 2007

    Well, we are the Show-Me state. Perhaps they want evidence of this stellar deal that was struck for them?..you know, instead of strong arm tactics and a fully lootable superfund?

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