WHEATLAND, PA. Company, union make progress in pact talks

There was movement from both sides on sharing health-care costs.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
WHEATLAND, Pa. -- Negotiators for striking Steelworkers and the Wheatland Tube Co. said they made some progress in the third bargaining session since the workers went on strike April 28.
The two sides met again Tuesday with a federal mediator to try to break the stalemate in the work stoppage that began after the expiration of the United Steelworkers of America Local 1660 contract.
"We moved a little bit -- both sides," said Dom Vadala, union president, adding that no new meetings are scheduled yet. The federal mediator will call the next session, he said.
Bill Kerins, vice president of operations at Wheatland Tube, offered more details about the meeting. Although no agreements were reached, there was movement on both sides and a better understanding of the issues, he said.
Health-care costs
The company is insisting that it wants employees to begin paying a portion of their health-care costs, and the union indicated Tuesday that it will consider a small premium share in the third year of a new contract.
The company said it would be receptive to delaying the premium sharing until the second year of the contract, provided that "a reasonable share of costs can be agreed to," Kerins said.
The company would still be willing to grant a 25-cent per hour wage increase in the first year of a new contract, he added.
In an effort to make progress, the company withdrew two proposals regarding a cap on incentives, and counting holiday pay toward the 32-hour minimum work week guarantee, Kerins said.
Pension plan
The company also indicated it is willing to consider withdrawing a proposal to move all current employees into a new pension plan, if the union is willing to accept a 401k savings plan for new hires instead of a traditional pension plan, he said.
The union's proposal to shift more of the cost of retirees' health care to the company remains on the table, Kerins said.
He complimented the union on the behavior of its pickets, noting they have been very responsible and have not interfered with deliveries to the plant.