Lear to remain open month-to-month

LORDSTOWN — Lear Corp. has agreed to keep its Lordstown plant open on a month-to-month basis as it searches for more work for the plant, a union official said.

Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, said the Michigan-based auto supplier was to withdraw a plant closing notice Monday.

Graham estimated that Lear would keep the plant open at least four or five months as it explores options. Union officials would assist the company in finding more work for the plant, he said.

Lear intended to close the plant Dec. 22 after issuing a 60-day notice in October. The plant has 105 workers.

UAW officials have been protesting the closing, saying that Lear had previously agreed to keep the plant open through 2008. Graham said Lear officials told union leaders last week that they would keep the plant open after the two sides held several meetings in Michigan.

A Lear spokeswoman could not be reached.