Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 6, 1991 TAG: 9104060419
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
"We're going to tear those picket lines down," shouted a jubilant Joe Parah, president of United Auto Workers Local 2069. "We're going back to work Monday."
Of the 641 union members who voted, 86 percent approved the contract - which includes a yearly 3 percent raise, no changes in health benefits, and no permanent layoffs in the first year.
"Naturally, everyone was relieved that this is behind us," said Volvo production manager Bill Brubaker, who was at the plant Friday afternoon when the local union called with the results. "We're going to be building trucks Monday."
The plant's assembly line has been idle since March 9, when 680 workers went on strike and the company began sending truck orders out of state.
Three UAW International representatives tried for an hour Friday to persuade workers to reject the proposal. George Smith, Elliott Anderson and UAW Secretary and Treasurer Bill Casstevens arrived from Detroit just minutes before the 2 p.m. meeting. They left before the vote without talking to reporters.
Among other things, the international wanted to hold out for higher wages, higher cost-of-living increases, better benefits and tighter job security, a local union official said.
Workers at other heavy truck manufacturers, such as Mack Trucks Inc., earn $2.44 more an hour than than those at the Pulaski County Volvo factory, where the average wage is $14.50.
"We can't fault the international for wanting to bring us up to the industry standards," said local bargaining agent Don Ratcliff. "They had their marching orders from higher up."
Workers, who were given details of the settlement Wednesday, said they considered it a fair deal - particularly during tough economic times.
"People are tired of staying out of work," said Darrel Greer, his 6-year-old daughter at his side. "At $14.02 an hour, you can't do any better than that around here."
Volvo employees earn between $14.02 and $15.65 an hour, the highest pay for manufacturing jobs in the New River Valley.
Another worker, Glenn Cobbs, said the Detroit union officials do not understand the job market here, as layoffs and plant closings nudge the valley's unemployment rate into the double digits.
"The international had a point, in a way," Cobbs said. "But the way the economy's going now, and the way the economy is in the New River Valley, I don't think we made a mistake."
"I think the company went about as far as they could go with us on it," said 14-year employee Geneva Cole, who said she was satisfied with the contract.
Union member Sherry Kincer said she was laid off Jan. 25 but has recall rights for three years. "That's why I wanted them to go back to work, because I'll be the first to be called back."
Apparently only a few of the 383 people laid off in recent months turned out to vote.
Barry Hunter, a four-year employee, was one of the 88 union members who voted against the proposal. "I couldn't in good conscience. It's our jobs we're fighting for." Hunter said he's worried that Volvo will continue to subcontract work to smaller companies, which he said has led to cutbacks at the Dublin plant.
The agreement states that subcontracting issues will be discussed with Volvo corporate executives during the life of the contract.
"Talk? They talked about it for 3 1/2 years and we still lost jobs," Hunter said.
Local union officials could not say whether the international executive board would sign the contract. A spokesman with the UAW in Detroit said he could not comment until Monday, after talking with the officials involved.
During the meeting, however, UAW's regional representative Smith said that although the local and international had "strong differences. . . . I also recognize who the boss is here. The boss in this union is our membership."
Volvo's Brubaker said the corporation's board of directors had approved the proposal before it was presented to the workers.
by CNB