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75 back to work at Dresser-Rand today

Approximately 75 union employees at Dresser-Rand's Painted Post facility will report to work today for the first time since they went on strike on Aug. 4.

Additional Local 313 members are scheduled to return over the next few weeks as the company finds vacancies for them, Dan Meisner, Human Resources manager, said in a release.

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Approximately 400 union members were invited back to work after the company declared an impasse in negotiations Thursday. However, they will be subject to the terms of the company's last offered contract, which includes a PPO health insurance currently offered to salaried employees and changes in facility regulations.

It is not clear how long it will take to get all of the employees back because D-R subcontracted some of its work to other facilities and hired 90-100 permanent replacement workers.

The answering machine message at the Local 313 union hall said the company would contact each employee.

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According to the company's release, 130 temporary workers hired after the strike began Aug. 4 have been let go.

Meisner did not return calls Monday for more information.

The union has filed unfair labor practice claims with the National Labor Relations Board regarding the impasse, Steve Coates, president of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Local 313, said Thursday.

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The union is also willing to continue negotiations, he said.

Officials are currently awaiting a decision by the NLRB on charges filed just after the strike began. Union leaders claimed the company committed unfair practices during negotiations, including regressive bargaining.