Wild Ass Rumor of the Day: Chrysler Preparing for Canadian Pullout?

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

The following email just came over the TTAC transom. Negotiations between Chrysler and the Canadian Auto Workers have broken down three days ahead of Canada’s bailout deadline and Uncle Sam’s defunct deadline for union concessions. Chrysler has already threatened to pull out of Canada. Given this stalemate, and the Presidential Task Force on Automobile’s determination to keep the zombie automaker in business, they just might.

Chrysler LLC Statement Regarding CAW Talks Attributed to Al Iacobelli, Chief Bargainer:

“We all recognize that we are in unprecedented times as it relates to the global economy and current financial crisis, which has a direct impact on the automotive industry. After several days of bargaining in good faith, Chrysler and the CAW have not reached an agreement that closes the competitive gap with other automobile manufacturers in Canada, to ensure Chrysler’s immediate viability.

The Company has been very clear in its Canadian Government testimony and position with the CAW: we must ‘close the competitive gap’ of $19 an hour immediately, with a goal of not having to affect base wages and pensions; while contributing to Chrysler’s viability with direct annual savings to the bottom-line in the current year, and each of the remaining years of the contract.

Although we made progress toward ‘closing the gap’, significant issues related to the existing ‘pattern’ remain on the table. These are not normal business circumstances and all Chrysler constituents have been asked to ‘break pattern’ – employees, retirees, dealers, suppliers and others. These requests have been made to all of our constituents, including the CAW, to ensure Chrysler’s viability.

We continue to engage with the CAW to resolve these issues in a responsible manner.”

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • COWBOY59 COWBOY59 on Mar 29, 2009

    My father-in-law used to work for a company that went belly-up last September. He was getting $**** every month, and since the bankruptcy his pension has remained intact. The pensions are vested with financial institutions as far as I know. And the company he worked with didn’t have near the financial clout as any of the big three. Our union has made sure that pension obligations remain outside the purview and reach of private companies, which is the reason they are vested. Besides, either the feds or provincial government guarantees a minimum of $1,000 per month in any such pension plans in existence.

  • LXbuilder LXbuilder on Mar 29, 2009

    Yes the pension (a least in Canada) is untouchable to the company, but it is not "big" or "rich" enough to fund you or myself until our end. Not unless your planing on going young, I know I'm not counting on ever seeing any of it now. If I get lucky and am able to draw a full pension cheque or two that will be great, I'm just not going to count on it any more.

  • Jalop1991 The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engagedGee, my Chrysler van automatically engages the parking brake when we put it in Park. Do you mean to tell me that the idjits at Kia, and the idjit buyers, couldn't figure out wanting this in THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE????
  • Dukeisduke I've been waiting to see if they were going to do something special for the 60th Anniversary. I was four years old when the Mustang was introduced. I can remember that one of our neighbors bought a '65 coupe (they were all titled as '65 models, even the '64-1/2 cars), and it's the first one I can remember seeing. In the '90s I knew an older gentleman that owned a '64-1/2 model coupe with the 260 V8.
  • SCE to AUX "...the complete Mustang model lineup to peruse"Will the fake Mustang show up, too?
  • SCE to AUX We don't need no stinking badges.
  • SCE to AUX I've never been teased by a bumper like that one before.
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