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Chrysler first of Big Three to cut free life insurance for retirees

besthidxenon — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:38:19 +0000

Chrysler has announced that it will be cutting its free life insurance program for its white-collar retirees. Under the former plan, retirees were given a life insurance policy at no charge that was equal to their last year of pay for anyone who retired before 2003, or $50,000 for anyone who retired after that cutoff date. According to The Detroit News, Chrysler will allow those affected by the cut — which will become effective on June 1 — to buy into a voluntary plan at a reduced rate, and will also give those individuals a one-time pension boost of $4,000. However, the cut will not impact union workers or retirees. Chrysler is the first of the Big Three automakers to make such a cut. The Michigan-based automaker failed to release how much the move would save the company, but it is believed to be a fairly substantial amount. Chrysler currently has about 14,000 white-collar retirees. Sources from http://www.leftlanenews.com
[ Chrysler first of Big Three to cut free life insurance for retirees Via Hidstores Car Reviews Blogs ]

Chrysler employees unhappy with mandatory vacation

besthidxenon — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:49:02 +0000

Earlier this month Chrysler announced that it would be shutting down its worldwide operations for two weeks this summer, but apparently the Michigan-based automaker forgot to consider one major factor in the shutdown — its employees. According to the Detroit Free Press, through an apparent meltdown in the communication lines, no one informed top Chrysler brass of the ill-effects a mandatory vacation could — and did — have on employees. Because the vast majority of Chrysler employees only have two weeks of vacation time a year, the shutdown — scheduled from July 7th to July 21st — consumes all of their days off. But since Chrysler made the announcement so late in the year, many employees already have vacations scheduled for other days or have already used their allotted time off. What that means is that some employees will have to cancel their vacation plans or take two weeks off with no pay — which is not a viable option in most cases. Chrysler has yet to comment on the subject, but it would seem that a company in as much trouble as Chrysler would want to keep its employees happy.
[ Chrysler employees unhappy with mandatory vacation Via Hidstores Car Reviews Blogs ]

Mike Donoughe, head of Chrysler’s ‘Project D’, resigns

besthidxenon — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:59:39 +0000

Mike Donoughe — the man responsible for heading up Chrysler’s Project D — has resigned from Chrysler. Donoughe, 49, was appointed to oversee Project D — a secret project group that was given the charge of developing new cars to replace Chrysler’s failing Sebring and Dodge Avenger — in January. According to The Wall Street Journal, Donoughe’s resignation followed a clash with management, but Chrysler released a statement saying there was no such disagreement. According to Automotive News, Donoughe was widely regarded as one of Chrysler’s top engineers and even served as director of passenger car development for Mercedes-Benz before the DaimlerChrysler breakup. Mark Chernoby will replace Donoughe as Chrysler’s vice president and chief engineer of future mid-size products. The news of Donoughe’s resignation follows on the heels of Ford’s Tuesday announced that its head of personnel, Joe Laymon, had resigned.
[ Mike Donoughe, head of Chrysler’s ‘Project D’, resigns Via Hidstores Car Reviews Blogs ]