Even with no contract, workers are expected to report to the Mitsubishi Plant in Normal Monday morning. Bargaining between the United Auto Workers and Mitsubishi Motors broke down Saturday night. That's when the bargaining committee unanimously rejected Mitsubishi's latest contract offer.

A statement from UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles out of Detroit says "In 2006 UAW members made concessions worth millions of dollars to improve Mitsubishi's bottom line. So, it's extremely disappointing that this latest proposal asks these loyal workers for the kind of drastic cuts that would have a devastating impact on their lives and on the communities in which they live."

Company Spokesman Dan Irvin issued this statement saying "MMNA (Mitsubishi Motors North America) will continue to operate the plant in Normal while next steps in the negotiations are explored and considered. We expect employees to report for work as usual on Monday."

The union is also asking workers to report to the plant as regularly scheduled. A two-week contract extension ended at 11:59 Friday night.

The contract covers about 12-hundred workers who have already voted to authorize a strike if negotiations fail. Both sides remain quiet about the contract's details.

And, no new negotiations have been scheduled since the stalemate on Saturday.

Here is the full UAW Statement About the Contract Talks:

For Release: Saturday, September 06, 2008

UAW members at Mitsubishi Motors reject contract proposal
Ready to continue talks
Members of UAW Local 2488 in Normal, Ill., today voted unanimously to reject a contract offer from Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. The 1,250 UAW-represented Mitsubishi workers are to report to work as regularly scheduled while union negotiators remain ready to bargain.

"The membership and its leadership have come to these negotiations with the hope of helping the company grow its business in the Bloomington-Normal area and they remain committed to obtaining a contract that is fair and equitable for all the stakeholders involved," said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.

The previous contract between the union and the company expired Aug. 28. Negotiations began July 14 and both parties agreed to a Sept. 5 deadline extension. The company presented its latest offer to UAW negotiators at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 6.

"In 2006 UAW members made concessions worth millions of dollars to improve Mitsubishi's bottom line," said UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles, who directs the union's Transnational Department. "So it's extremely disappointing that this latest proposal asks these loyal workers for the kind of drastic cuts that would have a devastating impact on their lives and on the communities in which they live."

"Throughout these negotiations the UAW bargaining team has worked tirelessly to address the needs of UAW members and the company," said UAW Region 4 Director Dennis Williams. "Our members will continue to build the high quality Mitsubishi vehicles they always have as further bargaining sessions are schedule."

Here is MMNA's Statement About Contract Talks:

9/6/2008 8 p.m.

MMNA and the UAW continue negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement and negotiations have concluded for the weekend.

MMNA will continue to operate the plant in Normal while next steps in the negotiations are explored and considered. We expect employees to report for work as usual on Monday.

Dan Irvin
Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
MMNA