ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 4, 1995 TAG: 9512050027
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: PEORIA, ILL.
Union members at Caterpillar Inc. rejected a contract offer Sunday, getting their old jobs back with nothing gained after a bitter 17-month strike.
Union members rejected the latest company offer as the United Auto Workers' central bargaining committee voted to send the 8,700 strikers back to work. UAW officials wouldn't say why they ended the strike.
``I think the company's in complete control. We have to accept defeat,'' striker Jim Schmidt said.
The six-year contract limits job security, overtime pay, paid sick leave at some plants and the ability of union members to organize on the job. It provides no raises except cost of living adjustments, and allows the company to lay off workers up to 10 weeks a year.
The employees, who have not had a contract since 1991, struck in 1994 to protest unfair labor practices at the world's largest maker of heavy equipment. The National Labor Relations Board has issued more than 180 complaints against the company.
Caterpillar Vice President Wayne Zimmerman said that all striking employees will be allowed to return to work.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 32 linesby CNB