UAW to Open Talks on Making Chrysler Cars at AMC Plant

Representatives of American Motors Corp. and Local 72 of the United Auto Workers are to open talks today designed to lure the production of big Chrysler automobiles to AMC’s Kenosha plant.

The two sides will discuss combining and eliminating job classifications. Rudy Kuzel, president of Local 72, said there is no one working in 60 of the present job classifications, so eliminating them would not be a problem.

Chrysler is considering having AMC build its Chrysler Fifth Avenue, Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury at the Kenosha plant.

The two auto makers do not have an agreement so far to build Chrysler cars in addition to AMC cars at the plant. But AMC spokesman Lloyd Northard said his company would need changes in the labor contract before it can take on the new work.

On May 16 in Milwaukee, AMC and the UAW agreed to ask the union membership to authorize the talks. Members gave their approval by a vote of 621 to 57.

Members of Local 72 in Kenosha accepted contract concessions last summer, including wage cuts of 61 cents an hour, after AMC threatened to close the plant. AMC said at the time that it would want further concessions before bringing additional models to the plant.

Currently no other domestic auto companies share production facilities.