International Truck and Engine Corp. late last week temporarily halted production of medium-duty trucks at its Springfield, Ohio, assembly plant, idling 40% of the work force.

The production halt idled 900 workers. The remaining 1,400 employees will continue to do their jobs, which include supplying truck cabs to International plants in Garland, Texas; Chatham, Ont.; and Mexico.
The decision was made because of the uncertainty of contract negotiations with United Auto Workers Local 402, International spokesman Kyle Rose said.
The current contract expired Oct. 1, and talks between the two sides recessed last week. Issues include wages and pension benefits. UAW members have authorized union leaders to call a strike if necessary.
The plant produces 162 commercial trucks a day. International is a subsidiary of Chicago-based Navistar Corp.
Charlie Bush, Local 402 president, said negotiations were expected to resume today.