Second local union rejects Chrysler labor deal

United Auto Workers Local 110, the local union representing workers at Chrysler’s minivan plant in Fenton, rejected today a proposed labor contract between the UAW and the automaker, making it the second local union to vote against the deal.

The two rejections could put the national deal at risk if other locals across the country follow suit.

A recorded message on the UAW Local 110 union hall’s answering machine announced early this morning that 66 percent of skilled trades workers voted against the proposed contract, while 79 percent of production and other workers voted against it.

The total number of those voting and a collective percentage rejecting the contract were not given in the recording. No further information was provided.

Members of Local 110 finished a 24-hour voting period at 4 a.m. today. The local represents more than 3,000 employees who assemble Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans at the South Assembly plant.

The decision follows an earlier rejection by workers at the adjacent North Assembly plant. On Thursday, about 80 percent of UAW Local 136 rejected the contract. That union represents about 2,000 workers who assemble the Dodge Ram at Chrysler.

This appears to make UAW Local 110 the fourth local union to have rejected the deal, while only three have approved the contract so far.

The Wall Street Journal reported on its website this morning that workers at Chrysler’s Twinsburg Stamping plant in Ohio and the Detroit Axle plant rejected the deals.

The Journal also reported Toledo Machining in Ohio and Trenton engine plant in Michigan voted for the deal Friday, which follow Thursday’s approval by Chrysler engine plant in Kenosah, Wis.

A majority of Chrysler’s UAW-represented workers, who number about 48,000, must approve the contract for passage. A rejection would represent a serious setback for the national union leadership and create the risk of another strike.