Continental Tire North America Inc. is accusing the United Steelworkers of breaking off contract talks with The Rosler Group, the German company that was negotiating to buy CTNA's OTR tire plant in Bryan, Ohio.
As a result, CTNA has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the union.
"The Steelworkers have both legal and contractual obligations to negotiate a new labor agreement with the potential purchaser of the Bryan plant," says Rick Ledsinger, CTNA's vice president of human resources.
CTNA revealed earlier today that it entered into a letter of intent with the Dortmund, Germany-based Rosler Group in January regarding the potential sale of the Bryan factory.
The letter "specifically provides that the asset purchase is conditioned upon the buyer negotiating an agreement with the union," say CTNA officials.
Talks between Steelworkers and Rosler fell apart last week, apparently canceling the pending transaction.
