CTNA is asking for $32 million in wage and benefit concessions from the USW-represented workers at the Charlotte plant. Proposals addressing health insurance costs for retired workers were included in the tiremaker’s latest proposal but were removed at a meeting yesterday between company and union officials, according to Rick Holcomb, CTNA spokesperson.

In a statement, the USW said the company advised that it could collect past insurance costs from retirees for some benefits paid during the term of the current labor agreement, which expires Apr. 30. Benefits under the insurance agreement continue for another 90 days.

Holcomb said those charges "are completely false and misleading, and do not even remotely reflect" what occurred at Wednesday’s meeting.

CTNA has threatened to stop production at its Charlotte plant if an agreement is not reached by Sept 15.