Union workers to vote on Cat’s ‘final offer’

PEORIA, Ill. (Aug. 10, 2004) — About 9,000 Caterpillar workers at plants in four states will meet this Sunday, Aug. 15 to vote on the engine maker’s “final” contract offer.

Caterpillar Inc. gave the United Auto Workers what it called its “last, best and final” contract offer last week, and the union held off a scheduled strike by more than 9,000 union workers. The union has reviewed the proposal and asked that members vote this weekend.

Caterpillar spokesman Ben Cordani told AP he’s optimistic the workers will ratify the offer, but added that it’s “impossible to speculate” on what might happen if workers reject it.

The Peoria-based heavy equipment and truck engine giant said the offer provides “substantial” pay and benefit improvements compared with a proposal rejected by workers in April. Caterpillar had also billed that proposal as its final offer.

The company has vowed to keep lines running if workers strike, using salaried employees, temporary workers and union members who cross picket lines.

The UAW had originally set a strike deadline last Thursday, but kept workers on the job after the heavy equipment giant presented the offer. Some workers failed to get word of the extension and briefly walked out of a plant in Mapleton, near Peoria.