Hundreds still on strike, deal hoped to be reached soon
CENTRALIA -- Union reps are hopeful a deal can be reached "as soon as tomorrow" to end the strike at a Centralia factory.
The strike, now in its fourth day, affects more than 500 employees. The main sticking point is a new contract that would eliminate retirement and health benefits for the company's aging workforce - some who have been with the company for 50 years.
"We have talked every day since the strike, talks are good," said Andrew Given with the International Union of Electrical Workers. "There's been a good communication between us and the company and we want to resolve this as soon as possible."
Wearing winter coats, workers stood outside the factory Tuesday holding signs, waving at cars and even building a fire in a nearby trash can to keep themselves warm.
Under the new deal, the company would eliminate benefits for retirees - including $10,000 life insurance policies and 50 percent medical premium payments. Union reps said they didn't want to strike and are hopeful it will end quickly.
"I feel like they're taking the livelihood away from these people," said Joseph Bailey who lives and works in Centralia. "You know a lot of these people have got many years in with this company."
The factory, formally known as AB Chance, was founded more than a century ago by a Centralia man. It's now owned by Hubbel, Inc., a Connecticut-based company. The factory is Centralia's largest employer, making plastics and construction materials.
"I'm in support of" the strike, said Centralia mother Susan Kennedy. "I think that they should be getting the raises and the better insurance because the job they do is really risky."
The last time workers at AB Chance went on strike was in 2000 - that lasted just one weekend. Before that, the last time workers walked a picket line was in 1962.
Company officials did not return calls for comment.
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