WHEATLAND TUBE Contract talks set to resume

WHEATLAND, Pa. -- Contract talks between Wheatland Tube Co. and striking Steelworkers were to resume today with the union coming back to the bargaining table with a strong vote of support from its membership.
The 470 members of Local 1660 of the United Steelworkers of America walked off the job April 28 with the expiration of their old contract.
A company insistence on employees picking up a percentage of their health-care premiums and proposed changes in pension plans are some of the major stumbling blocks to a settlement.
The company had issued a challenge to the union to allow its membership to vote on what had been proposed so far, and Dom Vadala, chief negotiator for the union, said the union membership declined the offer and gave its bargaining team a strong vote of support instead.
More than 330 members attended the union's monthly meeting Monday and gave nearly unanimous support to the negotiating committee to bring back a contract when it believes it has negotiated the best deal that it can.
Less than a dozen of those at the meeting opposed the motion, he said.
"They're mad," Vadala said, noting that the company's recent decision to bring in outside security guards and to begin shipping pipe out of the mill angered striking workers.
Vadala said the union is willing and able to meet daily to end the strike.