HOWLAND TWP., Ohio - Some workers at a former Delphi plant in Howland Township are being asked to trade early retirement for the future of jobs remaining at the plant.

According to letters from leaders of IUE-CWA Local 717, the union has reached a so-called “Memorandum of Understanding” with the management of Aptiv that offers a buyout to 23 workers as part of a deal to bring new equipment to Plant 11.

Under the agreement, at least 17 state-of-the-art high-speed presses will be installed in the plant at Larchmont and North River Road, in exchange for a reduction in the number of employees.

To do that, Aptiv is offering a $100,000 severance payment and six months of paid healthcare to 12 production workers and 11 tool and die employees.

The offer is being made to the most senior employees who have until Saturday to accept the deal.

Local 717 Shop Chairman Brian Lutz says in a letter to members that improvements will turn the plant into a world-class metal stamping operation.

Lutz said that during negotiations with Aptiv, the union made it "loud and clear" the deal could not be completed if there were layoffs involved.

Last December Delphi Automotive PLC changed its name to Aptiv PLC as part of a spin-off deal.