Chrysler faces difficulty in UAW deal

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be
last. After a very narrow ratification of Ford’s healthcare deal and waves of discord rippling through the UAW ranks,
speculation abounds that DaimlerChrysler will be a victim of politics. The automaker, which expects to wrap up talks
with union leaders in February, has some strong anti-ratification sentiment among its union members, and after the
heat UAW leaders have taken over GM and Ford lately, DCX might just find itself to be the sacrificial lamb for
union leadership to win back support within the UAW. Of course, UAW boss Ron Gettelfinger says they’re required to hear
Chrysler out in the interests of pattern bargaining, but it remains to be seen whether the grassroots efforts to vote
down the health care deals will finally emerge victorious.

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