Chrysler Workers Walk Out

United Auto Workers told its 49,000 Chrysler employees to walk off the job at 11 this morning after 24 hours of continuous negotiations failed to yield a contract. The action marks the second UAW strike against an automaker in 20 days. An expert estimated Chrysler will lose production on 3,000 vehicles per day; after 72 hours, that number could rise to 6,400 vehicles, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Chrysler is seeking a better retiree health trust than GM levied, reports the Wall Street Journal, and the two parties are still at odds over Chrysler's desire to unload its parts arm and transportation operations. Chrysler has overstocks on most models, but the strike could hurt sales of the popular Jeep Wrangler and an unlaunched minivan. (More Chrysler stories.)