NLRB backs Continental Tire

Continental Tire North America, Inc. (www.continentaltire.com), part of German-based Continental AG, has announced that the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) Office of Appeals has denied an administrative appeal filed by the United Steelworkers union (USW) with respect to unfair labor practice charges arising out of the 2005-06 labor negotiations between Continental Tire and the USW at the Company’s Charlotte, NC manufacturing facility.

According to Continental Tire, the NLRB’s general counsel specifically concluded that the manufacturer’s decision to curtail tire production at its Charlotte plant was lawful and that the company fully complied with its legal obligations to negotiate with the union about the decision.

“The NLRB’s decision confirms once again that Continental Tire fully complied with its legal obligations to negotiate with the steelworkers about the future of the Charlotte plant,” noted company spokesman Rick Holcomb. This determination resolves the legal dispute between Continental Tire and the union pertaining to the company’s efforts to restructure the Charlotte plant. The determination is final, and there are no other opportunities for appeal.