CHATHAM, Ontario, June 19 (Bloomberg News) — Navistar International Inc., the truckmaker, plans to use temporary employees to resume production at an Ontario factory where union workers went on strike June 1.þþThe heavy-duty truck plant in Chatham will start up as soon as possible, Navistar said today in a statement. Police in Chatham turned back a bus with about 40 temporary workers this morning because of fear of violence, the police said. A union official vowed to ÿbe there in full force,ÿ and no new talks were scheduled after a day of negotiations yesterday. þþThe 646 workers at Chatham represented by the Canadian Auto Workers walked out after their contract expired and the two sides could not agree on $14 million in wage concessions and other cost cuts. Investors and analysts have said the strike probably would not hurt Navistar because the company has raised output at a lower-cost Mexican plant and North American truck demand has been weak. þþÿThis is certainly a hard-nosed tactic, and the response obviously isn't too favorable,ÿ said Andrew Casey, a Prudential Securities Inc. analyst in Chicago, who rates Navistar as a hold and does not own shares in the company. þþÿWe need production out of Chatham,ÿ said J. Steven Keate, president of Navistar's International Truck Group. ÿThe actions are being taken solely to meet the needs of our customers.ÿ þ
Source: NY Times
