CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 7) — Members of United Steelworkers Local 850 have authorized a strike at Continental Tire North America Inc.´s Charlotte plant if they determine one is necessary if they can´t reach agreement with the company by April 30, when the current pact ends.
The strike authorization is a standard procedure used by most unions.
The company and union have been conducting bargaining sessions since last October. The company wants $32 million in cost cuts at the plant; the union does not believe Conti needs to slash that much in order to be profitable.
The tire maker has presented six cost cutting proposals to the union while the USW has countered with three. The two sides will meet again next week.