Alcoa and union at U.S. plants still remain divided in their key decisions

Negotiations with the unionized workers at 10 U.S plants and Alcoa Inc. did not reach a conclusion as there were many divided opinions regarding wages as well as increase in healthcare premiums. The union said this before a day of the expiry of the labor contract.

According to sources, 4 local United Steelworkers have voted in favor of the negotiators going for a strike if they cannot successfully make any contract deal.

A contract between an aluminium producer based in Pittsburg and union expired on Friday. The union comprises of 6,100 Alcoa employees at the plants that make aluminium and products for various sectors including aerospace, automotive and consumer packaging.

"The main sticking points are health care premium increases, wage package and two tier benefits and pension packages for new hires," said Ken Cox, financial secretary of USW local 115, which represents workers at Alcoa's Lafayette, Indiana plant. The local has given its negotiators the right to strike if necesaary.

Alcoa said on a website created for the talks that the two sides had reviewed proposals on "economics, benefits and language" on Wednesday.

Negotiations between two sides started in Pittsburgh in the month of April.

Union officials have a number of suggestions in case a new contract cannot be formed before the deadline. This includes extension of current contract, workers going on a strike or the company locking out the workers.

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