"We're hoping for the best and preparing for the worst," Chuck Austin, National Chrysler Retirement Organization president was quoted as saying by Autonews. The group he represents is made up of some 5,500 former Chrysler employees.
The meeting is necessary as the manufacturer's salaried retirees are not one of Chrysler's stakeholder in bankruptcy documents. This fact made the group's members fear they will be left with no health and pension benefits.
"Chrysler Group is committed to expanding our communication efforts with all employee and retiree groups," Michael Palese, Chrysler spokesman replied to the organization's fears. "The meeting with NCRO is intended as an informal update consistent with our efforts to broaden our communication efforts."
Even if it is unlikely, the retirees fear Chrsyler will be once again forced into bankruptcy. In that case, Chrysler may use one of the rules stated in the benefit packages, which will allow them to slash the aforementioned benefits.
"We dodged a bullet during the last bankruptcy, as did GM retirees after us," Austin concluded. "But Chrysler is a fragile company."
According to the deal between Chrysler and Fiat, the retirees' managed to convince the auto task force and Chrysler to transfer health benefits to the reborn manufacturer.
Google News