15 Chrysler workers get temporary layoffs

1/15/2005

The same week that the head of Chrysler Corp. said the company had no plans to cut workers this year, 15 skilled tradesmen were told they would be laid off temporarily beginning Monday.

But a company spokesman said yesterday the layoffs at the suburban Toledo factory are part of the firm s ongoing efforts to increase production and are not related to the comments by Chrysler president and CEO Dieter Zetsche.

A representative of United Auto Workers Local 1435 at the plant said the union was unaware of any pending layoffs. The firm s spokesman said there is no time frame for how long the tradesmen will be furloughed.