By Angela Hatton
Metropolis, IL – The United Steelworkers Union in Metropolis and Honeywell Corporation broke off talks early. The two sides resumed negotiations yesterday. After a positive first day, USW negotiators broke off bargaining before noon today. USW spokesman Mike Mezo says the reason is Honeywell officials aren't sticking to compromises previously made.
"And it's, uh, making it very difficult to reach an agreement, because you sit down, you bargain, you reach an accommodation with them, and you come back and the next time they've upped the ante, and are asking for more."
Mezo declined to say which issues are problems. Honeywell spokesperson Peter Dalpe says company officials don't feel they've made major changes. He says the issue left to resolve is overtime pay. Dalpe says overtime costs are the key to keeping the nuclear fuel plant in Metropolis profitable. The plant has lost 100 million dollars over 10 years. The sides have not set dates to resume talks.