As we were first to tell you Monday night, 1,700 Belvidere Chrysler workers return to the plant Wednesday, but not to restart production just yet. In a 23 News exclusive interview, Local UAW President John Gedney says the employee recall comes with a catch.

A Chrysler spokesman confirmed Tuesday that 1,700 Belvidere Chrysler employees return to work Wednesday through Friday, but they'll spend that time training in some new Fiat procedures, instead of on the assembly line.

As a refresher: Belvidere workers have been on a temporary layoff since the company entered bankruptcy at the end of April. Since then workers have been receiving subpay- that's a calculation of unemployment and pay from the plant. But Gedney says this week, employees get a full week of regular pay.

However, another two-week shutdown begins next Monday the 13th and here's the catch: Bringing workers back this week allows the company to force employees to use vacation time during that shutdown. Gedney says that lets Chrysler cut out 35 million dollars in subpay obligations.

UAW critics contend in this economy Chrysler workers should just be happy to have a job.

Gedney counters, "I challenge anybody to walk through those gates for 30 years and have that same attitude. Those are difficult jobs in there. And again we have to go back to what the membership of local 1268 has done, both retired and active, over several years to secure these jobs in the community."

Using vacation time to cover shutdowns is part of the concessions the UAW recently made, but that change wasn't expected to start until next year.

Gedney also responded to complaints that the UAW didn't spread word of the recall Monday. He says that's the company's responsibility, but employees can always contact the union hall with questions, at 815-544-2111.

Production in Belvidere is expected to restart July 27th. Gedney says transfer employees who live out of state and weren't expecting to come back until then, will have a hard time returning to work on such short notice. Layoffs also go into effect July 27th, dropping the plant down to one shift.