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

DATE: SUNDAY, September 18, 1994                   TAG: 9409260015
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

RUBATEX CORP. AVOIDS STRIKE

Union workers have ratified a new three-year contract at Rubatex Corp. in Bedford County, averting the possibility of a strike.

Company officials and United Rubber Workers Local 240 had until noon Saturday to hammer out a new contract for workers after the old one expired at midnight Friday.

``We're very pleased'' with the contract, which includes wage increases and pension benefits, said Price Parker, president of the local.

He said that two items the union opposed - mandatory overtime, and required co-payments on insurance premiums - were not included in the final version of the contract.

Although there had been some talk of a strike, operations at Rubatex were not interrupted, and the next shift is scheduled to report to work tonight, Parker said.

Company officials could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Rubatex workers went on a weeklong strike in 1991 when company officials tried to reduce health care benefits for workers and retirees. The benefits were preserved, and the workers received raises.

In July, workers went on a two-day wildcat, non-union-sanctioned strike over working conditions. The dispute still is in arbitration.

by CNB