Striking Freightliner workers to vote on new deal

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN0620028320070706

Striking Freightliner workers to vote on new deal
Fri Jul 6, 2007 6:15PM EDT

(Updates with new proposal, recasts)

PORTLAND, Ore., July 6 (Reuters) - Striking machinists at Freightliner's Portland, Oregon plant will vote on Monday on a proposed contract aimed at resolving a labor dispute that has shut down production for the largest U.S. truck maker.

"It is the last, best and final proposal from the company," said Joe Kear, a local representative of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union.

Some 670 union-represented machinists rejected an initial contract proposal from Freightliner on Monday and vowed to remain on strike until a new contract is ratified.

Negotiations between the union management re-started on Thursday night in an effort to break an impasse on retiree health care costs.

FULL story at link.