Another 171 Fenton workers opt for Chrysler retirement, severance packages
Another 171 Chrysler workers in Fenton have accepted voluntary severance or retirement incentives, a local union official said Wednesday. This brings the total number of local workers opting to leave Chrysler to more than 800.
The bankrupt automaker closed the sign-up window Tuesday, nearly four months after it first announced the offers. The packages depended on years of service and age, and there were several separation and retirement categories. Workers who accepted the offers left the company by Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Joe Shields, president of United Auto Workers Local 110, had a final tally of his workers, which wasn’t available Tuesday evening: 171 of his members accepted one of the offers. Local 110 represents workers who had built minivans at the idled Fenton plant. About 300 members were eligible, Shields said.
As previously reported, about 640 pickup plant workers retired or left the company under the offers. UAW Local 136, which represents the Dodge Ram workers, had about 1,250 eligible members as of March multiple car insurance quotes.
Chrysler announced this round of incentives in February.
The offers include a severance package of $75,000 and a $25,000 new-vehicle voucher for the least senior worker, to a retirement deal composed of a $50,000 payment and a $25,000 new-vehicle voucher for a worker qualified for retirement.
Under the previous round of offers made in November, more than 1,800 Fenton workers decided to leave voluntarily or retire. That offer was extended just weeks after Chrysler ended production at the minivan plant.
In recent weeks, UAW members have faced several more changes. On April 29, the UAW approved labor and health care concessions. Then, the next day, Chrysler filed for bankruptcy reorganization. It slated the Fenton minivan and pickup plants, along with six other locations, for closure.