By Angela Hatton
Metropolis, IL – The Metropolis chapter of the United Steel Workers union is approaching six months on lock-out from Honeywell's nuclear fuel plant. Negotiations broke off again today without any progress toward a contract agreement. Local president Darrell Lillie says the union's current unemployment benefits are set to run out in December. Lillie thinks if their unemployment is extended, the union will have more leverage in their negotiations with Honeywell.
"I don't think they'll be negotiating till there a decision made by Congress or the president to extend the benefits. If they extend the benefits, they might change their story, If they don't, y'know, it's just going to be a long fight, I don't know."
Honeywell announced today they will pay out vacation time accrued before the work stoppage. The next negotiation date is December 13. Both sides say they plan to meet periodically until they reach a fair settlement.