Walkouts loom as UAW-Fiat Chrysler talks sour

DETROIT (AP) — Discussions between the UAW union and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles aimed at restructuring a tentative agreement overwhelmingly rejected by workers have reached a critical juncture with the union issuing a strike notice.

The strike notice came as two people familiar with the talks told the Detroit Free Press that negotiations had, at least for some time, broken down with UAW negotiators leaving the bargaining table.

UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell sent a letter Tuesday to the company’s top negotiator, Glenn Shagana, vice president of employee relations at FCA, giving formal notification that the union is terminating the current agreement that had been extended while negotiations continued. The letter, obtained by the Detroit Free Press, said all agreements are terminated as of Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Fiat Chrysler confirmed that it received the notice but said discussions between the two parties are ongoing.