Strikes Continue For Chrysler, Gm

Chrysler Corp. and the United Auto Workers began negotiations Monday to settle an engine plant strike that has all but shut off the automaker’s production of pickups and sport utility vehicles.

In Oklahoma City, meanwhile, talks continued and some headway was reported as a walkout at a General Motors assembly plant that produces the Chevrolet Malibu and Oldsmobile Cutlass entered its 10th day.

“They’re making some progress but they were not specific,” GM spokesman Bill Betts said in Detroit.

Negotiators in the Chrysler dispute began working on smaller issues in hopes of quickly resolving those before tackling the major ones, said a source close to the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Monday’s talks were the first since the walkout began late Thursday at Detroit’s Mound Road engine plant.

The strike by 1,800 workers forced Chrysler to halt production Friday at four assembly plants that produce Dodge Ram and Dakota pickups, Dodge Ram vans and Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicles.