DETROIT -- Three Metro Detroit UAW locals representing nearly 3,000 workers this weekend approved the tentative contract between the union and Chrysler LLC, but ratification still is in jeopardy with the rejection of the deal by three large assembly plants.
Local 412, which represents about 2,000 workers at Chrysler headquarters and other area facilities, approved the deal with 76 percent of the vote; Local 212, representing about 750 workers at Conner Assembly, Mt. Elliott Tool and Die and Lynch Road Terminal, approved it with 85 percent; and Local 889 based in Warren, representing about 300 clerical workers at several Metro Detroit locations, approved it with 94 percent.
The three locals voted together in Warren Saturday.
Jefferson North Assembly plant workers, members of UAW Local 7 in Detroit, today gathered by the hundreds for their vote. Local 7 represents about 2,100 workers.
At times it was an emotional-charged scene outside the local office on Connor, with both vocal critics and supporters of the pact loudly declaring their positions.
When voting began at noon, the parking lot entrance of the local was flanked by a camera man and members from a socialist group urging members to reject the deal.
The front entrance of the local was a loud throng. Some rank-and-file members handed out pamphlets pointing out that three major Chrysler assembly plants have already rejected this deal; other Local 7 officers were urging support of the deal.
Some 45,000 Chrysler workers are eligible to vote on the contract, and a majority of those must approve it for ratification. If the deal isn't ratified, negotiators would have to return to the bargaining table.
The raucous Local 7 scene reflected the resistance this four-year tentative agreement has faced across the country ever since opponents of the tentative contract began to speak out against it last Monday, when the pact was unveiled in Detroit to local UAW leaders.
So far, at least five locals -- representing about 8,900 workers -- have rejected the deal reached between the union and automaker, and at least five others -- representing 3,500 workers -- have approved it.
Analysts say it is too soon to tell whether Chrysler workers will approve or reject the deal.
Of 31 Jefferson North workers interviewed today, 13 said they voted no, nine said they voted yes and nine wouldn't say how they voted.
At one point, Aaron Taylor, a top regional UAW representative, took to a loudspeaker system. "Don't listen to these outsiders!" Taylor said. "This is the best deal. Just listen and read the facts and you will know."
Three other Chrysler UAW locals vote today. Voting at various UAW locals continues through Wednesday.
"I'm very happy to say that it looks like this will voted be down here," said John Horton, a Jefferson North Assembly worker, who wore a t-shirt that said: "Union's benefits all workers."
Horton, like others who said they voted no, is highly critical of the tentative agreement because it will pay many "non-core" workers a starting wage of $14 an hour -- nearly half the wages of current workers. Non-core workers have been broadly identified as those not directly involved in the assembly of a vehicle.
Opponents also point to the tentative contract's lack of specific product commitments for Chrysler plants. The deal does promise up to $15 billion in new domestic investment, offers workers a $3,000 bonus, and creates a union-controlled trust fund to cover retiree health care costs.
Jefferson North employee Jim Frontera, a 42-year veteran of Chrysler, supports the contract. "I do think it's the best deal we can get. If you look at the situation of Chrysler, the union doesn't have much to bargain with like they did with GM," Frontera said, referring to the recent GM/UAW deal that had more job guarantees than Chrysler's pact.
"I don't know how this vote is going to go."
While much of attention is paid to voting at large assembly plants such as Jefferson North and plants in St. Louis and Newark which already rejected the contract, an Angie Crenshaw-Scott, an officer at Local 889 said she thinks strong support from smaller locals could sway the vote. So far her clerical union, the mostly salaried Local 412, and two parts distribution centers have supported the deal.
"I think the clerical and (unionized) salary staff will determine this contract because there are thousands of us nationwide," she said. "So far we've been very supportive of this deal."
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