Chrysler will offer to buy out jobs

DETROIT, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Automotive giant Chrysler LLC will offer union workers buyout options to help the company reduce its hourly workforce, it was reported Monday.

The company plans to reduce its total workforce by 8,500 to 10,000 workers by Nov. 1, The Detroit News reported. To help do that, Chrysler is expect to extend buyout offers of $100,000 to union workers in the Detroit metropolitan area with more than one year experience. In addition to hourly plant workers, 110 salaried union workers, including designers and engineers, will be offered buyouts.

The buyout deals don't include retiree healthcare. More than half of the low end of the reduction target, 4,600 workers, are eligible for early retirement, which does include healthcare benefits.

"In an effort to be socially responsible, together the company and the (United Auto Workers) are offering these special programs to the Detroit labor market," Chrysler spokeswoman Michelle Tinson said.

In 2006, Chrysler had a total of about 132,000 employees.