Chrysler, GM to get shot in arm

The Obama administration will make about $500 million available to Chrysler LLC through the end of this month as it seeks to reach an alliance with Fiat, and up to $5 billion through May to help General Motors Corp restructure outside of bankruptcy, an independent oversight report on the Treasury Department's corporate rescue fund said yesterday.

Separately, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union urged its members to lobby the White House by phone or e-mail to ensure that workers and retirees are treated fairly in negotiations at both companies on new concessions, which are considered vital for the automakers' to survive.

The UAW represents about 26,000 workers at Chrysler and 62,000 at GM.