WHEATLAND, PA. Progress reported in pact talks

WHEATLAND, Pa. -- "Negotiations went pretty well," said Dom Vadala, chief negotiator for Local 1660 of the United Steelworkers of America, after the resumption of contract talks after a two-week layoff.
The 470 members of Local 1660 went on strike at the Wheatland Tube Co. after their old agreement expired April 28.
Vadala said there was some company movement on pensions at Wednesday's meeting and that the two sides are awaiting some insurance carrier financial data on health care for retirees.
Talks won't resume until that information is available, he said, noting that the two sides had planned to meet again today but have postponed that session.
Bill Kerins, vice president of operations at Wheatland Tube and the company's chief negotiator, confirmed the company is seeking the retiree data at the request of the union.
Wednesday's meeting was "professional and productive" in that both sides discussed the issues at hand. No outstanding issues were resolved, he said.