DOMINION HOPE PUTTING OFF STRIKE FOR NOW

(04/17/2008)
Union leaders representing a group of workers at Dominion Hope say they have an agreement in principle on a contract offer from the company.

It is not a tentative agreement.

United Gas Workers Union Local 692 Region One Director Willard Swiger says union leaders are not willing to sign on to a tentative agreement with the current proposal and put it up for a vote among their members.

Swiger says there are problems with "the fine print."

He says the union agreed to the wages, the length of the contract and some contract language.

Swiger said the union found changes to certain benefits and protections for workers.

The union claims the company essentially increased the employee's cost of health benefits by 1000 percent.

Calhoun's Dominion Hope workers unanimously voted to reject the proposal.

The United Gas Workers signed on to the latest agreement in principle on April 4th.

The current contract between the union and the company ran out at the beginning of the month.