I think it's a great indicator of future success for the United Autoworkers union and Chrysler Corp. that the two have agreed on a proposed new labor contract, much as the union and General Motors Corp. did last month. Like that agreement, it's a sign that the union is as committed as Chrysler's new management to revamping the company — and, ultimately, the domestic auto industry — if only to preserve their own standing and influence.

It seems likely the Chrysler agreement will be generally the same as the GM version, centering around "an independent retiree health-care trust." And, like the GM agreement, the Chrysler contract emerged after a short strike ... less than two days at GM, just about six hours at Chrysler.

At this rate, a friend jokes, Ford will be in trouble if it endures a strike longer than 15 minutes. In fact, Ford is sitting pretty, because it cannot be made to accept anything more demanding than GM or Chrysler achieved, and so the progress of its negotiating sessions will be fairly straightforward. And, if there is a strike, you may be sure that it is no more than symbolic.

But, as I implied in an earlier post, symbolic of what? If the UAW is making a commitment to a more productive, competitive way of doing business, then who are they fooling with a toothless strike?