THORNGATE WORKERS STAGE WALKOUT

Frustrated workers at the Thorngate clothing plant in Cape Girardeau, worried they could lose their health insurance benefits, briefly walked off the job Monday.

The protest came as contract negotiations continued this week between their labor union, the Union of Needle Trades, Industrial and Textile Workers, and an association representing clothing manufacturers.

At least two-thirds of the 400 people working at the plant walked out to the parking lot Monday afternoon to listen to comments from the business agent for Union Local 1106, said Phyllis Dinger, president of the union's local chapter.

Contract expires Friday

Dinger said workers at the Thorngate plant in Cape Girardeau and the company's warehouse in Chaffee, Mo., could be without health insurance if no new agreement is reached before their contract expires at midnight Friday.

"There's anger and there is a lot of concern," Dinger said after finishing her shift at the plant Monday where she works on sleeves for men's suit coats.

Dinger has worked at the plant for nearly 14 years. She previously worked at a clothing plant in Farmington, Mo.

Luke Landgraf, human resources manager for Thorngate, said Saturday he wasn't aware of any health insurance problems for employees, suggesting they were nothing more than "rumors."

But on Monday, Ron Dirnberger, Thorngate plant manager, refused to comment on the contract talks.

He said any comments would have to come from the parent company, Hart, Schafner and Marx, based in Chicago, Ill. A company spokesman there couldn't be reached for comment.

Wage discussions are a part of the contract talks, which affect textile workers at plants across the nation, but Thorngate workers are most concerned about the possible loss of insurance benefits, Dinger said.

The threatened benefits include life insurance and disability, as well as health coverage, she said.

Thorngate employees don't have to pay out of their own pockets for health coverage for themselves and their children, other than a $100 deductible, Dinger said. Workers have to pay for their spouses.

The company wants employees to pay part of the cost of health insurance.

"They want some type of co-pay," Dinger said.

A number of single mothers work at the manufacturing plant, she said, and health insurance is a key reason why they sought jobs at the plant.