Two days before Volvo plant workers are set to vote on a new contract, the president and CEO of Volvo Trucks North America said the company would consider moving part or all of its plant if the contract is rejected.
Volvo has revised the policy on new employees’ health insurance in its proposed contract; otherwise, it is similar to the pact United Auto Workers members rejected 10 days ago.
In the first public statement yet by Volvo’s top management, Marc Gustafson said, “If we don’t have an agreement with the union, then we have to go back and look at considering what’s good for Volvo.”
Any future plans at the Volvo plant, including a $148 million expansion announced two weeks ago by Gov. Jim Gilmore, will depend on the workers and approval by the General Assembly of a $54.2 million incentive package, Gustafson said Tuesday from his Greensboro, N.C., office.
“If it’s not in the New River Valley, we have to know that and move on with that,” he said. “I will not commit to anything until we have stability in our work force.”