Nearly two thirds of United Auto Workers at Fiat Chrysler voted to reject a proposed contract agreement with the company. The union says 65 percent of the membership voted against the pact.
The vote was a slap to President Dennis Williams who pitched the deal as a fair way to compensate workers yet keep the company competitive. Williams says in a statement that he doesn't consider the vote a setback because it's part of the contract process.
Union leaders from plants nationwide will meet Thursday near Detroit to consider the next move. They could go on strike, return to bargaining with Fiat Chrysler or shift talks to General Motors or Ford.
Meanwhile, workers at the Mitsubishi assembly plant in Normal could vote on a possible new contract Sunday. UAW leaders say they may have an agreement with the Japanese automaker at that time.