Navistar unit, UAW agree to tentative deal

International Truck and Engine Corp, a unit of Navistar International Corp., said Wednesday it has reached a tentative three-year labor agreement with the United Auto Workers union.

The agreement, which has to be ratified by a majority of the company's UAW-represented workers, would replace the five-year agreement that expired Oct. 1 and end a strike that started Oct. 23.

Voting on the contract that covers about 3,700 workers will likely be scheduled for this weekend, said Warrenville-based Navistar, the world's fourth-largest truckmaker.

The contract calls for a moratorium on "outsourcing, plant closures, spinoffs or sales" during its term, the UAW said.

Company spokesman Roy Wiley said Navistar was happy to get an agreement and declined further comment. The company said details won't be released until after the union vote.

Navistar had been seeking concessions in talks that have stretched over more than two years. The strike began Oct. 23 and the company shifted production to nonunion plants. Navistar has contended the walkout didn't affect output and said Wednesday it will keep using the nonunion facilities until an agreement is ratified.

Union negotiators "stood up to the company's demands and came away with an agreement that protects jobs, wages and health-care benefits for our membership," said UAW Vice President General Holiefield, who leads its department for workers at heavy-duty truck makers. He didn't give specifics.

The UAW filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming the company had violated the law by shutting a UAW-represented assembly plant in Springfield, Ohio, and was withholding information in negotiations.

The strike came during a slowdown in truck sales this year, helping Navistar meet customer demand with fewer plants.

The UAW represents employees at nine International Truck and Engine facilities in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Ind.; Melrose Park; Springfield, Ohio; Atlanta; York, Pa., and Dallas.

Navistar fell 26 cents to $54.39 in over-the-counter trading. The shares have declined 21 percent since the day the strike began.