UAW Exec Laskowski Dies at 59

DETROIT (AP) -- United Auto Workers vice president Jack Laskowski, who headed national contract talks with DaimlerChrysler AG, has died, the union said Monday. He was 59.

Laskowski was attending a board meeting of Delta Dental of Michigan on Sunday when he apparently suffered a heart attack, the union said.

He served as director of the union's DaimlerChrysler department and had been selected in March to negotiate a new contract with the automaker's Chrysler unit. The UAW's triennial talks with Detroit's automakers began in June to replace the pact that expires Sept. 14.

Laskowski also oversaw negotiations with the former Chrysler Corp. during the last round of national bargaining in 1996. The department represents 75,000 UAW members at more than 50 locations.

``Brother Laskowski's leadership made a tremendous contribution to our union through his role as a UAW officer, as a member of our International Executive Board and as the director of many important UAW departments,'' UAW president Stephen P. Yokich said in a statement. ``Especially in view of his key role as leader of the team negotiating a new contract at DaimlerChrysler, he

ill be sorely missed.''

Laskowski's death was ``a tremendous shock'' to DaimlerChrysler as well, DaimlerChrysler co-chairman Robert J. Eaton said in a statement.

Laskowski was elected a UAW vice president in 1995. He had been a regional director from 1992-1995. He was a UAW member since 1958, when he joined Local 362 after starting work at what is now the CPC Powertrain Plant in Bay City.

He is survived by his wife, Sally and their three sons. Funeral arrangements were pending.