Strike authorization given by Kmart Distribution workers

BAZETTA

United Auto Workers Local 1112 members at the Kmart Distribution Center, 541 Perkins Jones Road NE, voted in favor of strike authorization.

About 98 percent of the 220 workers represented voted in favor, said Glenn Johnson, UAW Local 1112 president.

Workers voted down a contract proposal Sunday and the current three-year contract expired Tuesday, he said.

Johnson said the vote does not mean the union intends to strike. Johnson said workers will remain on the job under the old contract on a day-to-day basis as negotiations continue.

Representatives from Kmart were in discussions with the union today, which will pick up Tuesday after Labor Day.