UAW chooses Fiat-Chrysler as its target company as talks go down to wire

Associated Press DETROIT

The United Auto Workers has chosen Fiat Chrysler as its target company in ongoing contract negotiations with Detroit automakers, the union announced today.

Fiat Chrysler — the smallest of the three companies — now becomes the focus of bargaining and could be hit with a strike if negotiations stall. A deal with FCA will also set a general pattern for contracts at General Motors and Ford.

All three companies officially kicked off bargaining for new four-year contracts in July. The current contracts expire Monday but likely will be extended. The contracts cover around 140,000 U.S. factory workers, including about 4,500 at General Motors' assembly plant in Lordstown.

In a statement, UAW President Dennis Williams said all three automakers are “working hard” to reach an agreement and will continue negotiating even as the UAW turns its focus to FCA. FCA confirmed its selection but said it would have no further comment.

Kristin Dziczek, director of the industry and labor group at the Michigan-based Center for Automotive Research, says the choice of FCA — the smallest and least profitable of the Detroit Three — signals a different attitude at the UAW, which used to go after the most profitable automaker during negotiations.