GM, Chrysler's federal loan deals bar strikes

stumbleupon: GM, Chrysler's federal loan deals bar strikes   digg: US Works With Sudan Government Suspected Of Aiding Genocide   reddit: GM, Chrysler's federal loan deals bar strikes   del.icio.us: GM, Chrysler's federal loan deals bar strikes

TOM KRISHER | January 9, 2009 08:37 AM EST | AP

Compare other versions »

DETROIT — Provisions of General Motors' and Chrysler's $17.4 billion in federal loans automatically places them in default if union workers go on strike.

A General Motors Corp. filing this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission detailed the provision as part of its $13.4 billion in federal loans.

A person briefed on Chrysler LLC's $4 billion loan, who didn't want to be identified because the company is in talks with the United Auto Workers union about concessions, confirmed Thursday that the Chrysler deal also has a similar provision.

The UAW isn't a party to the deal and hasn't threatened a strike, its most potent weapon against the Detroit automakers.

The UAW and the automakers have a Feb. 17 deadline to agree to concessions to lower labor costs.