Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) has presented the United Steelworkers with a new proposal designed to slash manufacturing costs at the company's Charlotte, N.C., plant "with less impact on current employees and retirees," according to CTNA officials.
"We are committed to reaching an agreement with the union that achieves the necessary reductions in manufacturing costs that will make the Charlotte plant competitive," says CTNA Vice President of Human Resources Rick Ledsinger.
CTNA is seeking cost reductions of $32 million at the facility, which is its most expensive to operate. Company officials say the union's most recent proposal would only amount to $1.7 million in savings.
CTNA will start laying off hourly and salaried workers in Charlotte on March 15.
