"While far from an agreement, we´ve made some progress" in contract talks with Michelin North America Inc. (MNA), according to United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Executive Vice President John Sellers.
MNA and USWA representatives decided to continue negotiating past today´s strike deadline set for three Michelin-owned BFGoodrich plants.
"Productive talks continue toward achieving a new agreement" and workers at the three facilities remain on the job, MNA officials reported earlier today.
The union wants MNA to commit to long-term investments in its North American plants and also is concerned about "the company´s desire to impose wage and benefit concessions on its workforce."
MNA says it wants to make the plants "more competitive and to improve their long-term viability." The factories are in Opelika, Ala.; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and Fort Wayne, Ind.
