The pending closure of Burlington’s Case New Holland backhoe plant has local officials and community leaders striving to support workers and persuade management to reconsider. The plant, set to move operations to Wichita, Kansas, and Italy by mid-2026, has left employees and officials grappling with the potential economic impact.
UAW Local 807 President Nick Guernsey, representing the plant’s contract workers, recently addressed the Burlington City Council, highlighting the community-wide repercussions of the closure. Guernsey criticized the lack of dialogue from CNH management, who maintain that the decision is non-negotiable and unrelated to employee concessions.
The plant’s closure is estimated to save the company $33 million, though Guernsey argued labor costs, at just 5-10%, indicate deeper management issues. He anticipates potential discussions with CNH early next year but remains skeptical about management’s willingness to explore alternatives.
