Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 7, 1993 TAG: 9310070154
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FAIRLAWN LENGTH: Medium
Ken Thompson, president of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union local, said nearly 90 percent of the group's members voted but he wouldn't release the exact results. Thompson said he was happy with all aspects of the contract, except for its one-year term. The union's previous contract was for four years.
"The members don't like that and we don't either, but I can understand Hercules' situation, too," he said. "Hercules made an effort to negotiate a contract that's fair. I'll have to give them that."
Thompson said he thinks Hercules pushed for the short contract because the company still is in the process of negotiating a new facilities contract with the Army.
Thompson said the new labor contract raised the arsenal's lowest wage rate from $10.29 to $10.64 an hour and its highest from $16.22 to $16.79.
"We're real pleased," he said.
He said health insurance rates will drop $10-$15.
Union leaders had urged the members to accept the proposal, but Thompson said he was ready to lead a walkout if the contract was rejected. He said members were getting ready to make picket signs when he found out the contract had been accepted.
More than 98 percent of the union members approved a strike authorization vote last month. The union's previous contract was approved in 1989, but the arsenal has seen dramatic changes since then.
The Defense Department's demand for propellant has decreased with the end of the Cold War and Hercules has laid off more than 2,000 workers.
There are roughly 1,670 workers at the plant; about 1,000 are represented by the union.
Thompson said he's confident there won't be more layoffs in the near future.
"Right now everything looks good through 1994 . . . but that could change overnight with all of the Army's cutbacks."
by CNB