Sabreliner's union employees agree to contract

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A possible strike has been averted at a major Perry County factory.

A contract between Sabreliner Corp. and Teamsters Local Union No. 600 was ratified at about 10 a.m. Saturday, said James N. Foster, Sabreliner's attorney. The agreement came after more than a month of negotiation and prevented a possible strike of the union members who make up much of Sabreliner's workforce.

Union members voted 78 yes and 11 no, according to The Perry County Republic-Monitor newspaper.

"These were difficult negotiations," Foster said. "The employer has faced several obstacles over the last three years, and held off from forcing the union to recognize the measures it had taken elsewhere in the operations."

Foster wouldn't divulge details of the new contract.

"This ratification creates an opportunity for the union to demonstrate the cooperativeness which it pledged during the negotiations," Foster said.

Last November, Sabreliner announced the layoff of 180 employees because of cuts in the defense budget. Fifty-four more employees were laid off from the aircraft manufacturing and repair company's facilities in Perryville, Ste. Genevieve, Mo., St. Mary, Mo., and Clayton, Mo., in June.

"There is no doubt that the layoffs, which have been taking place over the last several years, loomed large over these negotiations," Foster said.

Union members voted Aug. 15 to reject the corporation's contact terms. The two re-entered negotiations and extended the union's current contract a second time until Aug. 25.

"The parties have an agreement, and it's now up to the union to demonstrate the cooperative spirit that it pledged during the negotiations," Foster said.

Phone calls to Larry Tinker, president and business representative of Teamsters Local 600, were not returned as of Monday evening.

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Pertinent address:

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