UAW OFFICIALS TALKING WITH DANA EMPLOYEES

United Auto Workers Union officials continue to talk with Dana Corp. employees at Cape Girardeau, discussing the possibility of organizing a union at the local facility.

The local plant, which opened in 1989, produces axle components and employs about 320 workers.

"Dana Corporation has a number of plants which produces automotive parts," said Jim Posey, of the Kansas City UAW office. "We've had inquiries from employees from about 30 of the plants."

Posey said a UAW official had been in the Cape Girardeau area for a while talking with Dana employees.

"We don't currently have an office at Cape Girardeau," said Posey. If Dana, or another company organizes and creates its own local, an office would be established.

"There has been an interest in forming a union at Dana in Cape Girardeau," noted Posey. "We have been contacted by a number of employees there."

Under federal labor regulations, UAW organizers would have to gain the support of 30 percent of the plant's employees to arrange for a vote at the facility.

Nationally, Dana Corp. has 88 manufacturing facilities and 39 warehouse facilities in North America. Of the manufacturing facilities, 22 are unionized and six of those are represented by the UAW.