By Angela Hatton
Metropolis, IL – The next round of negotiations between Honeywell nuclear plant officials and Metropolis United Steel Workers begins Monday. Members of the USW 7-669 and Honweywell have been locked in a stalemate since the union's contract expired in June. Since the last set of talks in October, Honeywell has chosen to discontinue health care coverage to the plant's 220 union workers and their families. Workers have complained that the union did not properly inform them of the change, but the company says they gave notice. Union workers recently traveled to Honeywell headquarters in New Jersey for a rally. Honeywell spokesman Peter Dalpe criticized the USW for spending more time on events and rallies than on reaching a settlement. The Monday morning negotiations may continue Tuesday.