U. extends contract negotiations with physical plant workers again

Continuing to work without contracts, the operating engineers of stationary local 835 are still negotiating with University officials with the aid of a state mediator. Both parties hoped to reach an agreement by June 1, when the engineers' old contracts expired, but negotiations were extended last week due to Sunday's U2 concert. After the mediator came last Friday, negotiations were once again extended for an undetermined length of time. "At the direction of the mediator the negotiations have been extended [with retroactivity] until further notice. Extension approved by a unanimous vote of your negotiating committee," read postings placed in various locations in the Physical Plant. The union-affiliated engineers are dissatisfied with two areas of the University's proposed contract -- the University's plans to freeze medical benefits at their current standing and remove the lay-off policy. The current policy allows for lay-offs but requires the University to compensate workers for the duration of their contract. Operating engineers -- who requested anonymity for fear of losing their jobs -- said they do not want to strike but that they will not agree to the contract as it stands. Such a strike would involve the over 250 members of stationary local 835 -- engineers responsible for many maintenance and construction projects on and off-campus. University Labor Relations representative Bruce Fisher said it is a University policy not to comment during negotiations.