http://bastrop.townnews.com/articles/2004/06/07/news/news11.txt
Mum's the word on IP contract talks
By Staff Daily Enterprise
Neither side has anything to say about ongoing contract talks between International Paper's Louisiana Mill and employees represented by the two unions.
Talks have been ongoing since March between company officials and representatives of the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Electrical (PACE) Workers Union International and the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW) to get a new contract in place for the more than 700 workers at the mill.
IP spokesman Kenny Haddox said he could not comment beyond confirming the company and union representatives were still in negotiations.
Monty Payne, a regional representative with PACE answered with "I have no comment at this time," several questions about the contract talks.
Six weeks ago, PACE regional representative Gary Beavers said the two sides were "not where we need to be to vote on whether we'll vote."
In contract talks, union members often take non-binding straw polls on preliminary contract proposals in efforts to determine if the proposition meets with member's approval.
Mill manager Greg Van Voorhis had previously said, "They want a contract, and we want a contract. We'll get there."
Sources close to the negotiations have said the company has proposed a pay increase, most of which would be offset by an increase in the amount employees pay for dependent care under their hospitalization coverage.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
IBEW Local 44 (Butte, MT) votes on proposed pact, fights for health benefits for workers
NWE prepares for strike
By Leslie McCartney of The Montana Standard - 06/08/2004
Electrical workers expected to make final vote Wednesday NorthWestern Energy is readying a contingency plan to deal with a possible strike by more than 300 electrical workers in Montana.
Workers have been without a contract since their three-year agreement ended April 30, and a vote on NorthWestern's final offer to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 44 is expected Wednesday after the mail-in ballots are counted, said Don Hendrickson, business manager for the Butte-based union.
Several issues are at stake, said Hendrickson, who called the issues surrounding the union and the utility "complicated." Those include differences over medical insurance, crew makeup, short-term disability and workers' compensation and vacation issues.
And it doesn't appear those matters have been resolved by the company's last offer.
"In the last vote, it was voted down by 87 percent of the voters," Hendrickson said, adding that he believes the company has done nothing to enhance that offer before presenting it again. NorthWestern hopes it doesn't need to use its contingency plan.
"We are working toward making sure we have a plan that impacts customers as little as possible ... we'd much rather have an agreement," said Claudia Rapkoch of NorthWestern Energy.
The company expects to have replacement workers ready in case of a strike, but Hendrickson said that is a problem since the union believes those workers are ill-equipped to handle the system.
"There has been very little maintenance done ...," he said of the distribution and supply system in place.
Hendrickson said the union is sensitive to the matter, especially if a strike occurs.
"We truly care about our customers and friends and our neighbors. We don't want the lights going out and staying out," he said.
A no vote to the three-year pact doesn't necessarily mean that workers will strike immediately.
"We're going to make every effort to let them (NorthWestern) address the issues," he said.
The IBEW is NorthWestern's largest of the four unions that hold a labor contract with the utility. NorthWestern is not speculating on the Wednesday vote.
"We certainly are keeping a close eye and will be prepared for any eventuality," Rapkoch said.
Reporter Leslie McCartney may be reached via e-mail at
By Leslie McCartney of The Montana Standard - 06/08/2004
Electrical workers expected to make final vote Wednesday NorthWestern Energy is readying a contingency plan to deal with a possible strike by more than 300 electrical workers in Montana.
Workers have been without a contract since their three-year agreement ended April 30, and a vote on NorthWestern's final offer to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 44 is expected Wednesday after the mail-in ballots are counted, said Don Hendrickson, business manager for the Butte-based union.
Several issues are at stake, said Hendrickson, who called the issues surrounding the union and the utility "complicated." Those include differences over medical insurance, crew makeup, short-term disability and workers' compensation and vacation issues.
And it doesn't appear those matters have been resolved by the company's last offer.
"In the last vote, it was voted down by 87 percent of the voters," Hendrickson said, adding that he believes the company has done nothing to enhance that offer before presenting it again. NorthWestern hopes it doesn't need to use its contingency plan.
"We are working toward making sure we have a plan that impacts customers as little as possible ... we'd much rather have an agreement," said Claudia Rapkoch of NorthWestern Energy.
The company expects to have replacement workers ready in case of a strike, but Hendrickson said that is a problem since the union believes those workers are ill-equipped to handle the system.
"There has been very little maintenance done ...," he said of the distribution and supply system in place.
Hendrickson said the union is sensitive to the matter, especially if a strike occurs.
"We truly care about our customers and friends and our neighbors. We don't want the lights going out and staying out," he said.
A no vote to the three-year pact doesn't necessarily mean that workers will strike immediately.
"We're going to make every effort to let them (NorthWestern) address the issues," he said.
The IBEW is NorthWestern's largest of the four unions that hold a labor contract with the utility. NorthWestern is not speculating on the Wednesday vote.
"We certainly are keeping a close eye and will be prepared for any eventuality," Rapkoch said.
Reporter Leslie McCartney may be reached via e-mail at
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