WHEATLAND, PA. Talks to resume as pickets continue

Health care and pension issues are the stumbling blocks.
THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
WHEATLAND, Pa. -- Talks are resuming between Wheatland Tube Co. and striking hourly employees.
Dom Vadala, president of Local 1066 of the United Steelworkers of America, said the union will meet Thursday with a federal mediator assigned to the negotiations. The time and location for the meeting haven't been finalized, he said.
USW Local 1066 represents 470 production and maintenance employees at the company's Wheatland plant. Other Wheatland Tube facilities, including a plant in Sharon, are not affected by the strike.
The workers have been on strike since April 28 after contract talks broke down.
Mediator meeting
Vadala said negotiators met with federal mediator Patrick Mingarelli before the strike and once after the work stoppage began, but there have been no meetings for nearly two weeks.
Thursday's session won't be face-to-face bargaining, Vadala said. The company won't be at the meeting, he said, adding he anticipates Mingarelli will seek a meeting with the company after he meets with the union.
All remains quiet on the picket lines set up in front of the plant, which remains idle.
Health care
The company is offering wage increases in a three-year proposal, but major stumbling blocks revolve around health care and pensions.
The company is seeking employee contributions toward their health insurance, something it says management and salaried employees have been doing since 1992.
The company also wants to substitute a 401K savings plan in place of the current pension program for future employees.
The union has maintained it took wage freezes for 10 years when the pipe and tube market was down in the 1980s.
Union officials have said members aren't interested in giving any concessions now when the company says it is financially sound.