Kenworth, Unions Negotiating Contract -- Mediators Called In To Help Broker Deal

Kenworth Truck and its unions are trying to negotiate a new contract before the old one expires Friday.

Federal mediators joined union negotiators and representatives from the company, a division of Bellevue-based Paccar, in a series of meetings that began Saturday and are expected to continue throughout the week.

Union officials downplayed the possibility of a strike.

"Things are going pretty well, but you never know," said Steve Leader of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 763. He said he would like to have a proposal for union members to vote on by Saturday.

Paccar officials would not comment on the status of the negotiations, which affect about 700 employees.

Sticking points in the early contract proposals reportedly included insurance-premium increases, sick-leave policy and wage adjustments, but Leader said it was futile to comment on the content of any one proposal.

"These are just proposals and they change," he said. "That's just part of the collective-bargaining process."

The contracts between the company and Sheet Metal Workers Local 66, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 763, International Brotherhood of Painters Local 1094 and Machinists locals 79 and 289 were slated to expire Oct. 31, but the deadline was extended to give negotiators more time to reach an agreement, Leader said.

Paccar's stock rose $5.813 yesterday to $50.875, but company officials said they did not know whether that meant investors thought the contract was near settlement. The stock was down 18.8 cents at $50.688 late today.

Christine Clarridge's phone message number is 206-464-8983. Her e-mail address is: ccla-new@seatimes.com