Union leader says Chrysler stamping plant in Ohio to stay open 3 months longer than planned

Union: Chrysler delays plan to close Ohio plant

TWINSBURG, Ohio — Union leaders say Chrysler’s stamping plant in Ohio will stay open until June 26, three months longer than the company had planned.

Doug Rice, president of the United Auto Workers Local 122, said Friday that Chrysler wanted to build up a bank of parts and then close the plant in March, but rising steel prices delayed those plans.

A message seeking comment was left Saturday for a Chrysler LLC spokeswoman.

About 1,000 people worked at the plant when Chrysler announced the scheduled closing last year. Rice said several hundred left after the company offered early retirements and buyouts.

The factory takes steel sheets and presses them into the shapes of door panels and other parts.

Italian automaker Fiat took control of Chrysler after it emerged from Chapter 11 reorganization in June.

Information from: The Plain Dealer, www.cleveland.com