The Canadian Auto Workers Union is confident it will win a labor agreement with Chrysler within days, sources on both sides tell WardsAuto.
Ford is the only American auto maker to ratify a new contract with Canadian workers. Talks with General Motors and Chrysler continue.
“We’re still in talks now,” says Shannon Devine, communications director-CAW. “We were negotiating until about 5 a.m. this morning. We’re hoping to reach an agreement today or tomorrow.”
Chrysler says it has presented an offer to the CAW, but declines to discuss specifics. “We are making good progress,” says Jodi Tinson, the auto maker’s labor and manufacturing spokeswoman.
The CAW is looking to seal a similar deal with Chrysler as it has with Ford.
The Ford contract calls for new hires to start at a lower wage than current employees and have a combined defined benefit and contribution plan. Employees will be elevated to the same pay structure as more senior employees after 10 years of employment.
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has called for deep concessions from the union, saying Canada is the most-expensive place in the world to produce vehicles.
Chrysler’s Brampton Assembly plant in Ontario builds the Dodge Charger and Challenger, Chrysler 300 and Lancia Thema, and its Windsor Assembly facility produces its Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans.
