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Automakers & Suppliers
Detroit 3 see no relief on UAW health care costs
The Detroit 3 entered labor negotiations with the UAW this year determined to rein in soaring health care tabs. The union seemed to oblige early on, proposing an innovative health care cooperative. But any promise of meaningful reform has been thrown out the window.
Manufacturing
Fiat Chrysler labor contract ratified with 77 percent support from UAW members
UAW-represented workers at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles approved a new four-year agreement with the carmaker after negotiators revised a rejected, earlier deal that failed to provide a pathway for entry-level Tier 2 workers to achieve full pay. The final count was 77 percent in favor, the union said in a statement today following two days of voting.
Dealers
Autotrader inflated vehicle views, New York dealership group's lawsuit says
A New York City dealership group is suing Autotrader in federal court for at least $1.5 million, alleging the online vehicle-shopping site double-counted the number of shoppers viewing its car listings over five years and hid the issue to retain the subscription.
Blogs
FCA deal finally gives UAW an organizing carrot
A byproduct of the rich new deal that UAW workers demanded of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles -- and their own leaders -- is that the UAW finally has something worthwhile to sell to employees at nonunion U.S. transplants.
Retail
AutoNation's website retooling pays off
AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson says he's starting to see consistent payoff from the $200 million bet the company placed on using its own website to sell cars online rather than third-party shopping sites.
Manufacturing
FCA concedes on Tier 2 without busting budget
Facing a costly possible strike, Fiat Chrysler agreed to a revised new contract with the UAW that includes a path to nearly full pay for Tier 2 workers. The company can live with the new pact in part because the additional costs above the previous deal don't kick in for five years.
Blogs
How Marchionne could forfeit his big win on Tier 2
The FCA boss got the UAW to go along with his reset of the prevailing industry wage. But the FCA rank-and-file saw that losing proposition from a mile away
Retail
Cox, Dealertrack seek to reassure on prices
Cox Automotive President Sandy Schwartz has heard dealers fret that, following Cox's $4 billion purchase of Dealertrack Technologies, the new entity will start jacking up prices. Don't worry, he says.
Manufacturing
An FCA strike: $1 billion a week in lost revenues
A UAW strike of Fiat Chrysler could cost the Detroit automaker close to $1 billion a week in lost revenue and would quickly lead to a shortage of several hot-selling vehicles.
Retail
Cox, Dealertrack chiefs hit road to explain $4 billion acquisition
Cox President Sandy Schwartz and Dealertrack CEO Mark O'Neil will be going on the road together over the next two weeks to meet with auto retailers to explain their $4 billion combination. The acquisition closed today.
Manufacturing
FCA strike threat grows as UAW contract falters
The specter of a UAW strike looms at Fiat Chrysler after the company's 40,000 hourly workers rejected a four-year labor deal covering wages and benefits. UAW local leaders at FCA plants are scheduled to meet Thursday in Detroit to determine next steps.
Manufacturing
The UAW-FCA deal: A bridge too short
At the UAW national bargaining convention in March, rank-and-file delegates sent clear marching orders to UAW President Dennis Williams: Use the Detroit 3 negotiations to fix a two-tier wage system damaging to shop-floor solidarity.
Manufacturing
UAW-FCA deal dooms Tier 1 if passed
Instead of the hated Tier 2 being eliminated, it will be the rich traditional auto jobs that go away over time, replaced by a permanent class of Tier 2 autoworkers if the UAW-FCA deal is ratified.
Manufacturing
UAW workers vote on FCA agreement without Tier 2 cap or product plan
The UAW leadership is seeking ratification this week for a tentative deal with Fiat Chrysler that is missing two key provisions from previous contracts -- a written product plan and a cap on the maximum percentage of Tier 2 workers.
Manufacturing
UAW bets pay raises, product will sell FCA deal
The UAW accord with Fiat Chrysler likely offers enough in raises and other improvements to ensure ratification by the rank and file, but it notably keeps in place the divisive two-tier system for entry-level workers.