Gunite Lockout Could End (UAW)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/16420056.html

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Workers at Gunite, an auto parts maker in Rockford, have spent the past four months picketing outside the plant's locked gates. But they may soon be able to put down their signs and get back on the assembly line.

It's been a long cold winter for Gunite's 135 union workers. The company locked them out of the plant Novemember 18th when contract negotiations broke down and they've been out picketing ever since.

"Any time you're out of work I believe it's stressfull. But everybody has held together and we're out here for a reason. We didn't choose to be out here, we were locked out so that makes it a little easier," says local UAW President Rick Kardell.

Negotiations have been slow going during the lockout and the company's corporate owner, Accuride, brought in temporary workers to keep the plant going, fueling tensions even more. But this week marked a breakthrough.

"For the first time in four months we actually made some positive movement in contract language and we made some positive movement in the second tier wages and benefits," says Kardell.

The union and company hammered out a deal for a new three year contract union members will vote on Sunday.

FULL story at link.