Volvo Trucks North America announced that the company was not able to reach an agreement with the United Auto Workers on terms of a new contract that would cover approximately 2,600 UAW members at the New River Valley, VA, truck assembly plant.
Negotiations for the new contract began on January 8, 2008. By its terms, the existing contract expired at 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2008. As of Friday, the International UAW and its affiliated local #2069 engaged in a strike at the New River Valley plant.
"We regret that the UAW has decided to take this action," said Per Carlsson, president and CEO of Volvo Trucks North America. "Volvo Trucks is committed to the collective bargaining process, and we will continue to bargain in good faith until an agreement can be achieved."
Volvo Trucks North America assembles its Volvo VT, VN and VHD trucks in the United States, at the ISO14001 and ISO9001 certified New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia. Volvo engines for North America are assembled in Hagerstown, Maryland.