KITCHENER, Ontario (Jan. 17)—RMS Equipment Co.'s Kitchener machinery plant is operating at "status quo" these days, and that's bad news for striking Steelworkers looking to get back on the job after eight months. Officials for RMS and United Steelworkers Local 80 haven't met to bargain since last September, and company President and CEO Jack O'Donnell said his firm is committed to going forward with plans to subcontract work while the union is out. Local 80's 67 members struck in Kitchener on May 14, primarily over wages, pension and contract language regarding the local's scope of recognition. Last fall, the company said it would have to cut its labor costs and thus slash workers' wages by $2-3 per hour and freeze pension benefits.
No progress in RMS, USWA labor dispute in Kitchener
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