Union, Remington Arms resume contract negotiations
Representatives from the United Mine Workers of America Local 717, representing employees of Remington Arms Company, headed back to the bargaining table today at noon to continue to iron out details on a new contract with Remington Arms Company.
The two sides have been negotiating contract proposals since late summer. The union represents all non-management employees at the plant.
According to local union President Stuart Kennedy, this will be the third time the union will meet with company representatives since the last proposed contract was voted down by the employees on Oct. 9.
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"The union will continue to bargain in good faith as long as the company continues to do so also," said Kennedy.
He said union representatives will continue to negotiate with the same team from the company, made up of company representatives and internal managers.
Kennedy said the goal of the union remains to get a contract settled as soon as possible.
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"It is a very long process," added Kennedy.
UMWA Communications Manager Phil Smith said a union turning down multiple contracts is not unprecedented, and is part of the bargaining process.
"It really depends on the issues from contract to contract," said Smith. "Our hope is to get a contract as quick as we can, but there is no specific time frame."
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Plant Manager Joe Gross said there were no negotiation updates to report at this time.
The first proposed contract was voted down by union members on Sept. 14.
The employees are still working under the terms of the previous contract, which expired Sept. 16, while the current negotiations continue.
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"We hope to continue negotiations and get a contract all sides are happy with," said Smith.
This is the first bargaining process with the new owners of Remington, Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. The investment firm bought the company in April for an estimated $370 million.
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