WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) praised the four-year labor agreement reached between Navistar and the UAW that will keep the company’s Springfield plant open. Ratified yesterday, the agreement replaces the previous contract which expired Oct. 1, 2010.
“Today's vote is the result of an all-hands-on-deck effort by the Springfield community to keep the Navistar facility open. I applaud the UAW and Navistar for working tirelessly on a new agreement in collective bargaining,” Brown said. “As Navistar moves forward with its commercial and military sales, I urge the company to make further investments in the Springfield community. Ohio’s workers are second-to-none and further investments in the Springfield community will lead to further success for the company. I will continue to promote the Springfield facility to bring new jobs and economic development to the region."
In September, Brown called and sent a letter to Dan Ustian, CEO of Navistar International Corporation, urging him to maintain operations at the company's plant in Springfield.
Brown wrote, “In the spirit of providing jobs and economic security for American workers and their families, I ask Navistar to make a commitment to the Springfield community. The workers in Springfield are second to none in work ethic, dedication, and productivity. The United Autoworkers are committed to maintaining high levels of productivity and efficiency at the plant and are willing to work with Navistar to establish additional opportunities for the Springfield facility.”
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