Autoblog

We just reported that a group of Chrysler employees in Toledo are crafting a proposal that would have the automaker's 50,000 UAW workers buy a controlling stake in the automaker. The proposed worker buyout offer is already stirring up a reaction among the major players involved in the potential sale of the Chrysler Group. Buzz Hargrove, president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, told Automotive News this morning that his organization is not interested in the proposal being put together by the Employee Buyout Committee. In his estimation, workers have already hitched their jobs and pensions to Chrysler's wagon, and that's enough. Hargrove admitted, however, he had not read the plan yet.

Though the UAW is getting the cold shoulder from its border brothers, billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian is reportedly interested in meeting with the Employee Buyout Committee to discuss working together to acquire Chrysler. Kerkorian and his investment firm, Tracinda Corp., have already made a low-ball bid of $4.5 billion for the Chrysler Group. Perhaps sensing his reputation is a liability in these matters, Kerkorian may be looking for a partner in the UAW employees that could get him to the negotiating table.

[Source: Automotive News]

The Detroit News is reporting that a group of 25 Chrysler employees in Toledo have formed a group called the "Employee Buyout Committee" and are actively exploring the necessary steps required to see the fate of Chrysler end up in the hands of its employees. Their proposal would give Chrysler employees a 70% stake in the automaker, with DaimlerChrysler retaining the remaining 30%. The group appears to be making all the right moves so far, having submitted its proposal first to the UAW, whose legal department is now evaluating the proposition. The employee buyout plan was also mentioned at DaimlerChrysler's annual shareholder meeting in Berlin on April, 4. The committee's apparent spokesperson, Michele Mauder, has also sent the proposal to Chrysler Gropu CEO and DaimlerChrysler CEO Deiter Zetsch, humbly requesting the employee's bid at least be given equal consideration with bids from private equity firms like Cerberus Capital Management and Blackstone Group, as well as Canadian parts supplier Magna. A Chrysler spokesperson has also commented that the proposal is expected to be reviewed by the automaker's legal department.

If allowing Chrysler's own 50,000 UAW employees to own the automaker doesn't happen, the UAW has expressed that it would much rather thow its hat in the ring with Canadian parts supplier Magna than any of the private equity firms that have offers on the table. While the employee buyout plan is a long shot, and if successful, an incredible risk for the employees, it's also inspiring that a group of workers would be the masters of their own fate. Unfortunately, it's not yet known how much the employees could offer for a 70% stake in their employer, which, in the end, is likely DaimlerChrysler's number one consideration in this sale.

[Source: The Detroit News]