With opposition within the United Auto Workers union threatening a smooth ratification of the tentative contract with Chrysler LLC, the union leadership has begun a push to reach local representatives.

Officials at Solidarity House, the union's headquarters in Detroit, are telephoning local leaders at Chrysler plants urging support of the agreement.

The union's chief negotiator with Chrysler, General Holiefield, also sent a letter to locals emphasizing the view of the union's national leadership that the contract gives significant "gains and protections for all UAW Chrysler workers."

Holiefield pointed to health care benefits for retirees and those currently employed as "secured for life" in a new union administered trust and indicated the agreement protected many jobs from outsourcing.

In spite of these efforts, however, workers at a Chrysler factory in St. Louis have already rejected the contract by a vote of approximately 80 percent against.

Although no direct comments were forthcoming from the UAW national leadership, it would appear the contract will enjoy a rougher going that hoped for by President Ron Gettelfinger.

Gettelfinger had set Sunday as a possible goal for ratification but that may not be attainable unless the lobbying from Detroit changes the mind of skeptical workers who do not see the same degree of job protection in this contract as was present in the union's agreement concluded last month with General Motors.