For Release: Wednesday, November 03, 2004

UAW members on strike at CNH

UAW members went on strike at noon today at four CNH (Case-New Holland) plants in Burr Ridge, Ill.; Burlington, Iowa; St. Paul, Minn., and Racine, Wis. The UAW represents 650 workers at the four plants.

“We believe this action is necessary in order to reach a new labor agreement that is fair to our members, to the company and to the communities where CNH does business,” said UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, who directs the union’s Agricultural Implement Department. “The company’s contract demands, particularly in the area of health care, simply do not reflect the value our members contribute to CNH.”

“UAW members at CNH have the full support of our entire union,” said Dennis Williams, director of UAW Region 4, which includes Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. “We will continue to work toward a settlement that meets the needs of all parties concerned.”