The United Steelworkers have authorized a possible strike at Continental Tire North America Inc.'s plant in Charlotte, N.C., if the parties don't come to new terms before their current contract expires on April 30.
Seventy-six percent of Charlotte workers who participated in a recent secret ballot approved a strike.
"In their words it's their last resort," union spokesman Gerald Dickey told moderntiredealer.com today.
Continental says it will suspend production at the factory in September if the union does not agree to $32 million in concessions.
"There's no way this workforce can give up $32 million," says Dickey.
Both sides are still talking, but a strike can occur any time after April 30, he explains.
