The deal will put a quick end to the strike launched at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning by the union. In a press release issued after 5 p.m., (Eastern) the union announced that Chrysler workers would return to their jobs on the next available shift.

"This agreement was made possible because UAW workers made it clear to Chrysler that we needed an agreement that rewards the contributions they have made to the success of this company," said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.

Details of the agreement were not immediately available. However, the deal is expected to follow the pattern set by General Motors. The UAW settled with GM after a one-day strike. Assuming that Chrysler workers ratify the deal, the union next will negotiate a pact with Ford Motor Co.

The UAW Wednesday evening announced that it had reached a tentative agreement with Chrysler LLC. The strike against Chrysler will end immediately, the union said.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and UAW vice president general Holiefield announced Wednesday that the UAW has reached a tentative agreement with the Chrysler Corporation.

UAW Chrysler workers will be notified by the corporation to report to work on their next available shift.

"This agreement was made possible because UAW workers made it clear to Chrysler that we needed an agreement that rewards the contributions they have made to the success of this company," says Gettelfinger.

"Once again, teamwork in the leadership and solidarity in the ranks has produced an agreement that protects jobs for our communities and also protects wages, pensions, and health care for our active and retired members," says Holiefield, who directs the UAW's Chrysler Department.

Details of the agreement are being withheld pending ratification votes by UAW's Chrysler workers.

--David Sedgwick

Filed by David Sedgwick of Automotive News, a sister publication of Workforce Management. To comment, e-mail editors@workforce.com.