Rubatex, USWA to begin post-strike negotiations

BEDFORD, Va. (July 25)—After agreeing to come back to work after striking for nine months at Rubatex Corp.´s Bedford foam rubber plant, United Steelworkers Local 240 is sitting down with company officials to work on a contract. The two sides will meet for the first time July 25 since the union members returned to work June 19. The key sticking points in the dispute have been mandatory overtime, retiree health care, pension and subcontracting. About 340 Local 240 members are back in the plant, with about 70 having quit or retired during or following the strike.