P.M. BRIEFING : Auto Workers OK Chrysler Pact

The United Auto Workers said today that its members have ratified the last of its three-year contracts with the Big Three auto makers, overwhelmingly approving an agreement with Chrysler Corp.

The agreement, covering about 63,000 active hourly and salaried workers, was ratified in voting last week by a margin of better than 4 to 1, UAW spokesman Bob Barbee said. Precise figures were unavailable.

The union initially focused its bargaining efforts on General Motors Corp., and bargainers reached tentative agreement Sept. 17. Less than a week later, a tentative agreement was reached with Ford Motor Co. The UAW and Chrysler reached tentative agreement Oct. 30.

Each contract provides for a 3% base wage increase in the first year, 3% lump-sum payments in the second and third years and increases for current and future retirees.