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MoneyFriday, August 1, 2008 5:57 PM CDT
UAW local at Mitsubishi to hold strike authorization vote
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NORMAL -- Members of the United Auto Workers at Mitsubishi Motors North America will take a strike authorization vote Sunday.

UAW Local 2488, which represents workers at the plant, referred questions to its Detroit office. A union official there confirmed the vote but would not give his name for publication.

MMNA spokesman Dan Irvin also declined comment.

“We’re not discussing anything that relates to the negotiations,” Irvin said.

Management and union officials at the Mitsubishi auto plant in Normal began talks for a new contract last month. The current collective bargaining agreement expires on Aug. 28.

A strike authorization vote is a procedural step during the negotiation period. An in-favor vote would authorize the union to strike if negotiations fail to result in a new contract.

The union has voted favorably for strike authorization votes in the past.

Mitsubishi workers went on a one-day strike in 2001.

While Mitsubishi car sales were up in 2007, the company has had its share of troubles in recent years and joins the automobile industry in general with struggling sales this year.

Mitsubishi’s sales through July have dropped 21.3 percent, from 80,704 vehicles in 2007 to 63,527 in 2008.

As a result of diminishing sales, 105 union workers will leave the plant as part of a voluntary separation package the company offered in May. Irvin previously said the workers will leave the company sometime in August, but was unsure of a specific date.

After the departure of the employees, the Normal plant will have 1,565 employees, including 1,261 union workers.

As part of a wage and benefit cut agreement in 2006, Mitsubishi promised not to close the plant or seek involuntary layoffs through this August, the end of the contract. Workers received a $4 wage restoration promised at that time in April, but management initially asked the union to consider a lump-sum payment instead.

Mitsubishi laid off 1,200 workers and eliminated its second shift in 2004.

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Reader comments on this story - 8 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

verna wrote on Aug 3, 2008 9:15 PM:

" god Im so sick of every four years we hafta try and justify not loosing pay and keeping our benefits Im sure not one of you mouthy people would willingly take a pay cut and benefits cut without trying your best to keep what you can. Hey we hafta try to maintain our lifestyle just like you and it is just ridiculous for anyone to write in and laugh about the fact that the plant may close we are not stupid we are well aware of the problems facing all of us in this economy remember we are all contributing members to this economy and if we go we will take some of you with us "

thisandthat wrote on Aug 2, 2008 9:02 PM:

" Here is an article telling how good our sales are. Production is up for the next month.
Mitsubishi Motors saw its July sales numbers fall 6.8 percent, following the industry trend for the month. It did see total Mitsubishi car sales move up 8.6 percent. Sales of the Galant, which is made in Normal, rose 30.6 percent compared to July 2007. The past month was the best July for Galant sales in the last three years. Sales of the Eclipse coupe were up 35.6 percent and sales of the Lancer Evolution were up 141.2 percent when compared to July a year ago. "

big_guy wrote on Aug 2, 2008 3:15 PM:

" A strike authorization vote is a bargaining tool used in negotiations. It doesn't mean stike, and it doesn't rule it out. "

who cares wrote on Aug 2, 2008 2:50 PM:

" well you have to authorize a strike that doesn't mean they're going on strike.because if you don't the company will try to give you the biggest crap sandwich for a contract that it can and you would be helpless to refuse it.you would just have to take a bite. "

cub wrote on Aug 2, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Go for it union guys...This place will be long gone shortlty after you all walk out on your $25+/hour jobs. Go for it!!! And you can all stand in the unemployment line together! How about doing your job and appreciating that you have one instead of feeling like MMNA "owes" it to you. "

Ted Kennedy's Swim Instructor wrote on Aug 2, 2008 6:56 AM:

" I don't see this plant staying in business much longer. I think that Mercedes Benz is looking to expand US production, so I'm sure they'd love to purchase this since the place is in pretty good repair. The low value of the US Dollar when compared to the Euro makes us production of European vehicles very attractive to many manufacturers. "

Not so Political wrote on Aug 2, 2008 2:10 AM:

" Now here is a good thing, go on strike with a company that is cutting back on payroll and production anyway. Just one more reason for the company to close down and make the cars somewhere else. That building is looking more and more like a state prison. "

BigBrother wrote on Aug 1, 2008 10:03 PM:

" What good is a chief if he has no indians? "

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