Although the vote was not unanimous, leaders of the United Auto Workers union approved the proposed contract with Chrysler LLC today and the matter will now be put to the rank-and-file for voting.

Historically the UAW leadership likes to take unanimous decisions before the membership, but some leaders opposed the plan in a voice vote allowing President Ron Gettelfinger "overwhelming approval" only on which to sell the agreement.

Gettelfinger hopes approval from the ranks will be achieved by Saturday, October 27 citing positives in the contract like the shifting of retiree health benefits to a union administered trust fund and the presence of job guarantees unprecedented in the union's history.

In a prepared statement Gettelfinger said, "The UAW negotiating committees at Chrysler, both hourly and salaried, did an excellent job bargaining this agreement and we look forward to discussing it with our members in explanation and ratification meetings which will begin this week."

Gettelfinger said the UAW was moving forward and achieving its agenda which includes protecting not just wages, but also health care and pensions for its members. Not all local leaders agreed, however, arguing that the contract does not offer protection to temporary employees and creates an opening for lower wages and benefits for new hires in non-production jobs.

As the membership considers the plan, the UAW will now move on to its negotiations with Ford Motor Company, having successfully concluded agreements with General Motors and hopefully, Chrysler, that will serve as models for a contract with the remaining member of the Detroit Big Three.