Chrysler Canada to trim white-collar jobs

TORONTO, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Chrysler Canada is cutting its salaried, white-collar workforce by 25 percent, or 240 jobs, amid a decline in the North American auto industry.

The company's Detroit parent said the reductions will be made through voluntary retirement incentives, buyout programs and layoffs during the coming months, The Toronto Star reported Saturday.

Bob Nardelli, chairman and chief executive officer for Chrysler LLC, said the "unprecedented decline" in auto sales worldwide meant the company needed to cut expenses.

Chrysler also has accelerated the closure of an assembly plant in Delaware and cut a shift at an Ohio plant.

Chrysler Canada's hourly-paid production workforce has dropped more than 1,000 jobs to 8,925 in the past five years, the newspaper said.

Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff said employees in Canada will receive offers equivalent to those its U.S. workers receive.

Chrysler's U.S. workers between 51 and 62 years old with 10 or more years of service who earn less than $100,000 annually can receive full retirement benefits and healthcare credits. Selected staff between 53 and 62 who earn more than $100,000 can also qualify for full retiree benefits.

Meanwhile, workers 60 or older with more than 10 years service can get $50,000 in cash, a $25,000 voucher for a new Chrysler model and 100 percent in healthcare credits.