October 10, 2007
UAW Calls Strike On Another Big Three Automaker
Once again, the United Auto Workers instructed tens of thousands of its members to take to the streets in protest against one of the Big Three U.S. automakers. This time, it was the failed negotiations between union leaders and Chrysler over a new labor agreement that sparked the walkout of some 40,000 workers nationwide.
The Detroit Free Press notes "it’s the second strike against a Detroit automaker in the past two-and-half weeks by the UAW," which picketed General Motors for two days before hammering out a tentative agreement, "and the first strike against Chrysler in recent history." Job security and health care remain the two main sticking points in the ongoing negotiations.
According to the Detroit News, at least four Chrysler plans are excluded from the strike, so not all of the union's 49,000 Chrysler members are picketing today.
The Detroit News has workers' reactions to the strike and the Free Press has background on the negotiations. MarketWatch and the Wall Street Journal (subscription) are also covering this story in detail.
