Union calls strike at Chrysler plants

10 October 2007 20:01  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--The United Auto Workers union called on Wednesday a strike at Chrysler, after the two sides failed to reach a contract agreement, media reports said.

The union represents 45,000 Chrysler employees, reports said. The strike does not cover five Chrysler plants, four of which have been idled.

The strike is of interest to the US chemicals and plastics industries as North American vehicles contain an average of about $2,200 (€1,562) in chemicals, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC). A reduction in US car production could also mean a drop in demand for chemicals.

Each vehicle has an average of 335 lb (152 kg) of polymers, according to the ACC.

The strike may have little effect initially, as Chrysler said it had a 71-day supply of automobiles at the end of September, according to news reports.

The Chrysler strike follows the two-day GM walkout in September.

($1.00 = €0.71)

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Author: Al Greenwood
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