"Given the lack of progress so far, it appears highly unlikely a new agreement will be reached" between Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) and the United Steelworkers before the parties' current labor contract that covers CTNA's Charlotte, N.C., plant expires on April 30, CTNA Senior Counsel Rick Holcomb told moderntiredealer.com this afternoon.
Earlier this week, 76% of Charlotte plant workers who took part in a secret ballot voted to authorize a strike if a new agreement is not reached.
CTNA claims Charlotte is its most expensive factory to operate and says it will suspend production there indefinitely this September if the union does not agree to $32 million in concessions.
