Ohio Jeep Workers Approve New Contract

TOLEDO, Ohio October 2, 2002; The AP reported that workers at an assembly plant that makes the Jeep Wrangler and Liberty voted Tuesday to adopt a new one-year contract with DaimlerChrysler AG.

The deal, which covers about 3,800 workers represented by United Auto Workers Local 12, includes a 3% pay raise and a pay-protection plan for laid-off workers at the Toledo plant.

Local 12 chairman Nick Vuich said employees in the skilled trades -including electricians, carpenters and welders -rejected work rules for their division. Those workers still are covered by the general contract, but negotiations will continue on the work rules, which include guidelines for contracting outside workers, he said.

The union failed to get DaimlerChrysler to add a third vehicle to the plant to create jobs. The plant opened in April 2001 and employs about 3,900 workers.