Chrysler union workers protest job cuts

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AUBURN HILLS -- In a show of union solidarity, nearly 1,000 Chrysler LLC white-collar union workers walked out during their lunch hour Wednesday to oppose job cuts that could come as result of the new Detroit Three contracts now being negotiated.

Jeff Hagler, president of United Auto Workers Local 412, said the salaried workers -- designers and engineers from Chrysler's technical center -- gathered on a grassy area in front of the main office building to signal to the automaker that union workers have had "enough of job cuts."

Up to 300 members could lose their jobs if the union agrees to Chrysler's demand to outsource maintenance positions, he said. Local 412, which represents about 5,000 salaried and skilled trades workers, was notified of the potential job losses two months ago, he said.

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