
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 16, 1994                   TAG: 9403160032
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MEREDITH BARKLEY LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: GREENSBORO, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

HEALTHTEX LABOR TALKS REOPEN UNION CONTINUES JOB-SECURITY STRIKE

VF Corp. officials and union representatives resumed negotiations at noon Tuesday after a strike prompted by last week's breakdown in talks shut three of the corporation's Healthtex plants.

The strike by 1,200 workers began Monday and idled plants in Danville, Va., Warrenton, Ga., and Centreville, Ala.

"The strike will continue until the issue of job security is resolved," said Patricia Westwater, regional communications director for the Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union.

Union members walked off their jobs, charging that company officials had backed away Friday night from promises to guarantee jobs at the three plants.

"We're happy the company has agreed to return to the bargaining table," Westwater said. "We think it's clear evidence that the strike is effective."

The union's three-year contract expired Saturday.

Company negotiators and union representatives huddled at the Sheraton Greensboro hotel Tuesday afternoon to iron out differences.

Healthtex, VF's children's clothing manufacturing unit, has its headquarters in Greensboro.

by CNB