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Chrysler and UAW settle on tentative contract agreement after a brief strike

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AP Graphic Auto Talks

By TOM KRISHER, and, DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP Auto Writers

DETROIT - The United Auto Workers union said Wednesday it agreed on a tentative four-year contract with Chrysler after a strike that sent thousands of workers to the picket lines for almost six hours.

Details of the agreement weren't immediately available. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the strike would end immediately and workers should report for their next available shift.

"This agreement was made possible because UAW workers made it clear to Chrysler LLC that we needed an agreement that rewards the contributions they have made to the success of this company," Gettelfinger said in a statement.

UAW members at 19 of 24 U.S. Chrysler factories and several other facilities left their jobs for the picket lines at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Among the major issues in the Chrysler talks were funding for a union-run trust that would handle future retiree health care bills; contracting out parts-trucking jobs; promises that future products will be built at U.S. factories; and parity with health care concessions that were given to Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. two years ago.

The UAW on Wednesday also announced it ratified a four-year agreement with GM. The two sides settled on Sept. 26 after a two-day strike. Ford will be the final automaker to bargain with the UAW.