Caterpillar Inc, the world's largest maker of earth-moving equipment, faces a possible strike at noon on Thursday if it has not reached a tentative agreement with its largest union.
The United Auto Workers said on Wednesday it had notified Caterpillar of its intent to strike. Officials said they may consider pushing back the noon deadline if it appears the two sides are close to an agreement.
UAW members have been working without a contract since April 25 when they rejected Caterpillar's last offer and the previous six-year agreement expired.
A strike would involve more than 8,000 Caterpillar employees in Illinois, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
Caterpillar, in a statement, said the notice won't change its overall approach or commitment to the bargaining process.
"We'll continue to bargain in good faith and certainly hope the union doesn't decide to take the unfortunate step of declaring a work stoppage - a step with certain consequences to all involved," said Chris Glynn, Caterpillar's director of corporate labour relations, in a news release.
The company also said it has a "trained and skilled" work force ready to step in and keep operations running smoothly in the event of a strike.