Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2008 - 9:10 am:

quote:

The buyout offer included a $75,000 payment to workers with at least 10 years of experience and $50,000 for those with less, plus a voucher worth $25,000 off a new Chrysler vehicle. Some former employees hope the money will be enough to live on until they can secure other work. Others are prepared to use the buyout money to cover the shortfall between their mortgage balance and the value of their home in Michigan’s depressed housing market, so they can sell and move to a state where jobs are more plentiful.

Those without a home to sell or family obligations keeping them in the Detroit area are almost certain to head elsewhere immediately.

“I figured I can take a chance. I’m 28, single — I can go wherever I want,” said Jessica Krul, who worked in purchasing at Chrysler for two years and turned in her buyout papers a week ago.

Katrina Harris, 37, who was born in Detroit and began working for Chrysler as a summer intern during college 14 years ago, wrestled with her decision to leave but is optimistic about making a fresh start outside the auto industry.

“Chrysler’s all I know,” she said. “I’m giving myself a year to kind of tread water, and I told my family I may have to move out of Michigan to find something.”