Kaiser Gives Benefits To Temporary Workers

Sat., March 13, 1999

By Julie Sullivan julies@spokesman.com

Kaiser Aluminum has begun offering the 1,800 temporary workers in Spokane benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance and vacation and holiday leave.

The company began offering benefits this month, said Susan Ashe, Kaiser spokeswoman.

“We certainly didn’t expect this dispute to last as long as it lasted. We’ve always offered generous benefits, and it seemed appropriate to do so for the temporary workers.”

United Steelworkers, locked out since Jan. 14, greeted the news with gloom.

“For me it’s a sign that they are planning to keep the (temporary workers) in there and that their intention is not to reach a settlement,” said Kevin Dupus, vice president of Local 338.

Nevertheless, Dupus and other members of the local union negotiating team will travel to Minneapolis on Sunday to review the company’s correspondence concerning the contract proposal. Both sides say they are hoping it will lead to a date at the bargaining table soon.

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Kaiser Gives Benefits To Temporary Workers

Jesse Tinsley

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