Associated Press

CONNERSVILLE, IN -- Union workers at a Visteon Corp.plant rejected a tentative contract agreement by a 3-1 margin.

Union local president John Pavy said he was not surprised by the outcome of Thursday's vote as members were concerned about the cost of health insurance premiums and job security. The auto supplier is based outside Detroit in Wayne County's Van Buren Township.

Members of Local 919 of the International Union of Electronic Workers-Communications Workers of America voted 1,174-385 against the proposal that had been reach on July 1.

Visteon plant manager Larry Hinkle said the company and union would meet Friday and that the plant would continue to operate.

The plant in the city about 50 miles east of Indianapolis is the largest employer in Fayette County. For the past month residents have been holding press conferences and prayer vigils to highlight the importance of the factory, which supports much of the region's economy.

Community leaders have been worried that a strike could force the plant to close -- a move they said would decimate the region's economy.

The company has not posted a profit since 2000, and last year it reported a net loss of nearly $1.5 billion. Visteon announced May 25 that it was selling 24 of its North American plants to Ford.

The Connersville plant, which makes climate control systems, was not among those sold.

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