Chrysler CEO says high Canadian costs factor in union talks

Comments follow similar statements made by Ford, GM

(Reuters) — Chrysler Group Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said that higher manufacturing costs in Canada will be a factor in upcoming talks with the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union.

The CAW enters talks with Chrysler, General Motors and Ford this month. Ford and GM have already made comments that Canada's auto manufacturing costs are the highest for their plants.

Fiat SpA is the majority owner of Chrysler, which is based in suburban Detroit.

The CAW contends the high manufacturing costs are largely due to the strong Canadian dollar. The union wants its workers to share in the relative prosperity of the three Detroit automakers after agreeing to freezes on pay and benefits in the past few years.

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