AUTOS

Chrysler, UAW Open Talks: The smallest of the Big Three auto makers is in a much better financial position than it was three years ago in the last contract discussions, when it had to ask for special treatment from the United Auto Workers. At that time, its agreement to follow the auto industry contract pattern led to UAW willingness to go along with the company’s reorganization into product teams. That approach, responsible for a stream of hot-selling cars and trucks in the last 18 months, has driven Chrysler Corp. through the best post-recession recovery of the Big Three. Still, it has a weak balance sheet, an underfunded pension plan and more retirees than active workers. It again wants health care relief and says it is not ready to lay out large sums to fund job and income security pools.