Tens of thousands of Chrysler LLC autoworkers walked off the job this morning after the company and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union were unable to reach a tentative contract agreement ahead of the union-imposed deadline. This is the first UAW strike against Chrysler in 10 years. Back in 1997 one plant was shut down for a month. This is also the first strike against Chrysler during contract talks since 1985, the AP reports.

The UAW needs to reach new four-year agreements with Detroit’s big three. The UAW went on strike for two days at GM before the two reached a tentative agreement on September 26. A deal has yet to be reached with Ford.

Read our coverage of the role communications played during the UAW/GM strike here and here.