Published: April 28, 2009 01:25 am      

Beginning of a new season

THE ISSUE:Chrysler’s tentative concession agreement with the UAW.

OUR VIEW:The announcement suggests there’s hope a deal with Italian automaker Fiat and equity swaps with Chrysler’s lenders will keep Kokomo’s largest employer out of bankruptcy.

If there’s a flowering pear in your garden, then you know the tree’s blossoms were at their fragrant peak this past weekend. The pear is the first fruit tree to flower every spring. It’s a sure sign of a new season.

But there is another season Kokomo has expected for months now – one which begins this week. Thursday is the deadline for Chrysler to present its long-term viability plan to President Obama’s auto task force. Sunday night, the automaker announced it had reached a concession agreement with the United Auto Workers.

Friends and family of Chrysler’s 4,600 hourly workers here likely received the news with trepidation. But like blossoms on a tree, the announcement suggests there’s hope a deal with Italian automaker Fiat and equity swaps with Chrysler’s lenders still will bear fruit and keep Kokomo’s largest employer out of bankruptcy.

Local UAW leaders were called to Detroit Monday to discuss the terms of the tentative agreement. Members will vote on the pact before the Thursday deadline.

All we know at this point is the Chrysler-UAW plan “meets the requirements of U.S. Treasury Department loans to the company,” according the union, and that it likely will cause autoworkers financial pain.

A deal ratified Sunday between Chrysler and the Canadian Auto Workers eliminates Christmas bonuses, semiprivate hospital room coverage, certain drug fees and a one-time vacation buyout, The Associated Press reports. It also cuts break times and vacation.

As bad as that sounds, let us remind residents that Kokomo has been a manufacturing hub for more than 100 years. And in the last century, many factories have opened and closed.

It’s important to remember – this week, more than ever – Kokomo has survived. Its residents have prospered.

Come what may Thursday, we’ll get through this together.