Chrysler workers called back to Kokomo plants

kirven.jackson@kokomotribune.com

As a member of the UAW/Chrysler National Negotiation Committee, Shawn Fain visited Michigan back in January.

The trip was about Chrysler LLC's future.

The nation's third-largest automaker was headed toward rocky financial landscape and "it didn't look good," said Fain, a member of UAW Local 1166. "Reality hit us on how bad it was. I left with a sick feeling."

Three months later, the sick feeling worsened: Chrysler filed for bankruptcy.

Today, Fain and more than 4,500 Kokomo Chrysler Group LLC employees probably don't feel as sick.

Wednesday - just a week from emerging from bankruptcy with the help of Fiat SpA - the Auburn Hills company announced production at seven assembly plants will begin the week of June 29.

In addition, engine, stamping and transmission facilities - including Kokomo's four plants - supplying the seven plants also will begin production.

Once Chrysler filed bankruptcy on April 30, it ceased all production. Operations with the Chrysler Group - the company's new name since it was purchased by Fiat - began June 10, when it ended its brief bankruptcy stay.

"We are not out of the woods yet," said Fain. "I am glad we are where we are, but the economy still has to pick up and take a turn so we can get everyone back to work.

"There are eight other plants still shut. Retirees took a hit. We took at hit. This is bittersweet and no one is happy, but it does feel better than where we were in January. Hopefully, down the road, we can look back on this time like we did in 1980, and talk about where we were and where we are now. This all happened a lot faster than I thought."

However, returning to work won't happen fast enough for UAW Local 685 president Rich Boruff.

Although Kokomo employees will begin working the week of the June 29, they will be idle for their traditional two-week summer shutdown the weeks of July 13 and 20.

Idling. Going back to work. Idling again. Boruff prefers working.

"It's awesome we are going back. It has been a rough couple of months," said Boruff, adding some Kokomo Chrysler employees have already begun the indoctrination process with Fiat's World-Class Management format.

"I can't wait to get back in the plant. I like to run the union from inside the plant rather than being at the union hall.

"While we were down, we were at the hall helping people with questions and giving support. I enjoyed that, but it makes for a long day. When you are in the plants, you still are taking care of everyone and it makes the day go by so much faster. It's a good feeling we are going back. I can't wait."