Toledo's Dana Corp. and its two main unions yesterday finished the fourth day of expert testimony on whether the bankrupt auto supplier can throw out union contracts, eliminate retiree health care, and institute other changes.

But because bankruptcy laws are not written to protect workers, the United Auto Workers and United Steelworkers will need to bargain a settlement to protect workers and retirees, said Jim Robinson, the Steelworkers' director for Illinois and Indiana. He led union negotiations with Dana.

Attorneys for the unions and Dana, which also has said it wants to negotiate a settlement, are scheduled to present closing arguments Tuesday to Judge Burton Lifland in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan. The judge is expected to rule by the end of April.

Changing union wages and benefits, such as slashing wages by up to $6 an hour and reducing life insurance from 1.5 times annual base pay to an amount equal to base pay, will save nearly $62 million the first year, the company has said. Eliminating its long-term disability plan will save $13.3 million a year.

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