MMNA, UAW preparing for contract talks

Source: Pantagraph

Kevin Barlow

NORMAL — The autoworkers' union and Mitsubishi appear to be posturing in advance of contract talks expected to begin next month.

Company leaders say they are likely to evaluate the plant in Normal and no decisions have been made on the plant's future, while the union says its workers deserve credit for higher sales.

"Mitubishi Motors North America continuously evaluates our supply chain to ensure we remain competitive and best-positioned to serve our customers," said a company statement issued by Dan Irvin, general manager of corporate communications for MMNA, in response to media reports on the future of the plant. "Our facility in Normal is facing challenging business realities, including low production volume and the complete evaporation of the Russian export market in late 2014."

In 2010, Mitsubishi workers agreed to wage cuts that kept the plant open. That contract will expire Aug. 31 and union leaders say the plant is profitable and it's time for the employees to be rewarded for their sacrifices.

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Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. vehicles coming off the assembly line at the plant in Normal, Wednesday, June 18, 2014.

Read more: http://www.pantagraph.com/business/local/contract-talks-between-union-mmna-to-start/article_7628785c-6bc3-576d-8702-c7ad37c75e1f.html