UAW Strikes Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America

    BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL, Ill., Aug. 24 Effective 1:30 a.m.,
Friday, August 24, 2001, the 2,700 UAW members of UAW Local 2488, Region 4, at
Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, located in Bloomington/Normal
Illinois, walked out on strike due to the company's refusal to meet the
reasonable and legitimate collective bargaining demands of the UAW members.
    "Regretfully, the employer gave our members no other alternative but to
withhold their labor," said Nate Gooden, Vice President and Director, UAW
Transnational Department.  "It's a very unfortunate situation, but our members
are determined. The quality and productivity they deliver on a daily basis
warrants a fair contract; sadly the corporation fails to recognize these work
ethics.  Our UAW bargaining team began earnest negotiations at Mitsubishi on
June 20th, and will continue to meet with the management of Mitsubishi in an
effort to resolve the outstanding issues as soon as possible."
    The current collective bargaining agreement expired at 12:00 midnight,
August 23, 2001.