The plant's 1,264 union employees have been working without a contract since their most recent labor agreement expired Sept. 5, after the union unanimously rejected the automaker's latest offer. Irvin said the company reduced the plant's work force by about 100 through buyouts this summer. The plant, which opened in 1988, now employs less than half the workers it did at its peak just under 10 years ago. The plant's workers accepted pay and benefit cuts in 2006 in exchange for the promise that their jobs would be safe for two years. The union narrowly voted to accept that deal, which expired Aug. 28. Both sides agreed to extend the pact until Sept. 5. The Illinois plant produces four models -- the Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder, Galant and Endeavor. In 2004, the plant laid off 1,200 workers as part of a worldwide plan that Tokyo-based parent company Mitsubishi Motors Corp. called its last chance to survive. Union members also went on a one-day strike there in 2001. Mitsubishi's U.S. sales are down 22 percent this year, according to figures compiled by Autodata Corp. Sales fell 29 percent in August.