Just over a week into a strike by United Auto Workers members at five Mack Trucks facilities, Volvo Trucks says it is halting U.S. truck production at its New River Valley plant in Virginia as a result.
John Mies, senior vice president of corporate communications for Volvo Trucks, says the company advised employees at the Dublin, Virginia, plant that it would stop production until the strike is resolved. As a result, approximately 3,000 employees are temporarily laid off, effective Monday, Oct. 21.
“We don’t know how long the layoff will last, but we’re taking steps to keep our employees updated as we move forward,” Mies says.
Even though the strike only affects Mack workers, Volvo powertrains are built at Mack’s Hagerstown, Maryland, facility.
The strike began Oct. 12 when more than 3,500 UAW-represented workers employed at Mack Trucks plants in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Middletown, Pennsylvania; Hagerstown, Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland; and Jacksonville, Florida. UAW says the workers are striking for a number of issues, including pay, benefits, work schedules and more.
Both Mies and UAW say negotiations between the parties restarted Oct. 21.
