Packard workers wait and wonder

WARREN — Chris Wilson was in a good mood Monday when he heard about a new Delphi Corp. labor agreement but was trying not to get too excited.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” the skilled trades worker at Delphi Packard Electric said with a smile on his face.

He had to be cautious because his union — the International Union of Electrical Workers — is just resuming talks with Delphi. The United Auto Workers, however, has reached a tentative deal.

The Detroit Free Press reported that the UAW skilled trades workers would maintain their current pay rates of more than $30 an hour.

Wilson, 45, of Cortland, said he would be happy if he could keep his pay rate as Delphi emerges from bankruptcy court protection.

The UAW deal, which still must be ratified, has a different deal for production workers.

Those who used to work for General Motors before Delphi was split off as an independent company are to receive a “buy-down” of $105,000 paid over three years in exchange for wage cuts. Hourly pay for the UAW production workers is to be cut from $27 to between $14.50 and $18.50.

One Packard worker nodded like the buy-down would be a good deal but refused to comment on the UAW deal.

“I don’t want to get my hopes up and the rug pulled out from under me later,” said the worker, who didn’t want to give his name.

For more on this story, see Tuesday's Vindicator or www.vindy.com.