A Strike Defused

Chrysler is rolling—for now

By refusing to grant immediate pay hikes two weeks ago, Chrysler Corp. had almost dared its workers to strike. A walkout could easily bankrupt the sputtering company, but Chairman Lee lacocca was gambling that the rank and file would not take that risk. When the showdown ballot came last week, lacocca won his bet, at least temporarily. By a tally of 70% to 30%, the workers voted to stay on the job and postpone negotiations on a new contract until January. That strategy had been pushed by United Automobile Workers President Douglas Fraser, who reasoned that an improved...

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