THOMSON EMPLOYEES APPROVE CONTRACT EXTENSION
Unionized workers at Thomson’s Marion, Ind., TV tube plant overwhelmingly approved a one-year extension of their current contract. The proposal also was approved by a majority of 19 technicians at Thomson R&D and product development facilities in Indianapolis and Lancaster, Pa. However, unionized workers at Thomson’s TV glass plant in Circleville, O., rejected the proposal in a 179-87 vote, setting the stage for negotiations on a new contract to replace a 3-year one due to expire in April.
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At the Marion facility, where Thomson produces 25"-36” tubes, workers approved the measure in a 615-66 vote. The contract extension, first proposed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1160, contains provisions in the event that the plant is closed. Thomson increasingly has been moving production to its Mexicali, Mexico, factory and the new agreement provides one week of pay for each year worked if the plant is fully or partly closed. Despite a provision for the possible closing, a Thomson spokesman maintained there “are no implications” intended.
IBEW 1160 Business Mgr. Steve Rowland wasn’t available for comment at our deadline but he told the Chronicle-Tribune that he “wasn’t ecstatic” about the pact. “We're in a position where people understand the economy and where we're at. Hopefully, the economy will turn around and we're get a new President and we'll be on the upswing when we negotiate in April 2005,” Rowland said. The Marion plant has 860 unionized workers.
In Circleville, negotiations on a new pact will begin in mid-March, a Thomson spokesman said. Circleville, which like Marion underwent a round of layoffs earlier this year, has 400 employees.