REGION

REGION
Talks lead to progressfor Wheatland Tube, union
WHEATLAND, Pa. -- Progress was made in some seven hours of negotiations Tuesday between Wheatland Tube Co. and the striking United Steelworkers Local 1660, said Bill Kerins, company vice president of operations.
Talks were to resume at 1 p.m. today under a news blackout, he added. Federal mediator Patrick Mingarelli was involved in Tuesday's talks and will be involved today, Kerins said.
Before Tuesday, the last previous negotiating session was Aug. 20. After that meeting, the union's chief negotiator, Dom Vadala, said negotiations would resume when insurance carrier financial data on retiree health care would become available. The local's 470 members have been on strike since their previous contract expired April 28. Major issues have been health care and retirement issues.
Vindicator staff report