Chrysler plans to add a second shift to the Toledo North Assembly Plant to build the next Liberty, but the automaker initially stated last fall that it estimated the need for around 1,100 workers. However, the UAW says that assembly line modeling ahead of the next-generation SUV's arrival has dictated the need for an additional 300 workers.
Per agreements made between the Michigan automaker and its union, new workers will start earning $15.78 an hour.
Currently, Chrysler has around 1,800 union workers building both the Jeep Liberty and Wrangler at two facilities in Toledo.
Production of the current Liberty is set to end August 16, even though its as-of-yet-unnamed replacement won't bow until January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A production start date for the Liberty's replacement hasn't been set, although it's likely at least 10 months away. Wrangler production will not be affected by the Liberty plant retooling.
