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Belvidere Fiat Chrysler Workers Reject National Contract

Workers inspect a Dart in the Chrysler Metrology Lab in Belvidere.
Susan Stephens
/
WNIJ
Workers inspect a Dart in the Chrysler Metrology Lab in Belvidere.

United Auto Workers members have resoundingly rejected a four-year contract with Fiat Chrysler. Workers at the plant in Belvidere were among the last in the nation to vote on the deal union leaders had worked out with the automaker: like most Fiat Chrysler plants nation-wide, they overwhelmingly vote "no."

65% of the Belvidere plant's 3000 UAW members voted against the proposal. It's considered a rebuke of their union leaders who supported the deal.

So what's next? UAW leaders have called local presidents and negotiators to Detroit Thursday to decide. They could go on strike, continue bargaining, or change tactics by working on contracts with GM or Ford instead. Contract extensions that started in mid-September have kept workers on the job at all three automakers.

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.
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