Workers at US car firm Chrysler have started to walk out from selected plants after a union deadline to resolve an agreement over pay passed.
Workers at US car firm Chrysler have started to walk out from selected plants after a union deadline to resolve an agreement over pay passed.
Unions had set a deadline of 1500 GMT to reach a settlement over planned changes to pay, healthcare, and other benefits for 49,000 workers.
Unions had set a deadline of 1500 GMT to reach a settlement over planned changes to pay, healthcare, and other benefits for 49,000 workers.
Unions are concerned that Cerberus, Chrysler's private equity owner, wants to roll back existing pay deals.
Unions are concerned that Cerberus, Chrysler's private equity owner, wants to roll back existing pay deals.
The firm, meanwhile, says it must remain competitive.
The firm, meanwhile, says it must remain competitive.
'Further apart'
'Further apart'
Earlier, the head negotiator for the United Auto Workers union at Chrysler said it had plans to be selective about strikes and that work at five plants would not be interrupted.
Earlier, the head negotiator for the United Auto Workers union at Chrysler said it would be be selective about strikes and that work at five plants would not be interrupted.
Analyst David Healy of Burnham Securities said: "My impression is that the two sides are further apart than they were in the case of GM and that Chrysler is well prepared for a strike."
Analyst David Healy of Burnham Securities said: "My impression is that the two sides are further apart than they were in the case of GM and that Chrysler is well prepared for a strike."
"They have a lot of inventory and some of the plants are shut down anyway. It could go for a while," he added.
In the case of GM, strikes were resolved when staff gained guarantees from the firm regarding working conditions.
"[Chrysler] has a lot of inventory and some of the plants are shut down anyway. It could go for a while," said David Healy .
Are you affected by the walkout? Do you or anyone you know work for Chrysler? What do you think will be the implications of the walkout? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you affected by the walkout? Do you or anyone you know work for Chrysler? What do you think will be the implications of the walkout? Send us your comments using the form below.
