Deadlocked Talks Threaten Strike At Broadview Dairy

Months of unproductive contract negotiations between Broadview Dairy and Teamsters Local 582 will reach a critical point today, and both employees and management are preparing for a strike.

The dairy advertised in Wednesday’s Spokesman-Review for drivers, plant employees and loaders who “must be willing to cross a picket line.”

Dick Solberg, secretary-treasurer of Local 582, said many of the 47 Broadview employees represented by the Teamsters are running out of patience. But, he added, “We don’t want to strike. We want to continue working.”

Solberg said the company and the union have been in negotiations since May. The company has made two offers that have been rejected by employees, Solberg said. The most recent rejection occurred Sunday.

The two sides will meet again today.

“We will have a federal mediator present,” Solberg said. “We hope to be able to reach a settlement that the negotiating committee is comfortable taking back to its membership.”

The areas of dispute apparently cover both wages and benefits. Some union members have indicated that a strike could begin late today if no progress is made in negotiations.

Broadview Dairy is owned by the Goodale & Barbieri Cos., which purchased the failed Carnation dairy. G&B created an operating dairy that also serves as a museum.

G&B, a Spokane development company which also owns the Cavanaugh’s hotel chain, has drawn on a business relationship with local unions to finance some of its projects.

Expansion of Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park and development of a new Cavanaugh’s property in downtown Seattle received financing through the Northwest Building Trades Pension Fund.

, DataTimes