IRP division, union reach accord after nine-day strike

HIBBING, Minn. (July 25)—A short nine-day strike at Industrial Rubber Products Inc.'s Irathane division in Hibbing resulted in a workable wage package and a new three-year contract. Irathane's 22-person work force—represented by the Midwestern Council of Industrial Workers—struck after its previous three-year agreement lapsed June 30. The main issue was wage increases, and the two sides finally compromised on average increases of 2 percent, 2 percent and 1 percent. The company also agreed to pick up the employees' health insurance increases during the contract. The new agreement runs from July 1 through June 30, 2006.