UNION MEMBERS WALK OFF JOB AT PACE INDUSTRIES

Members of the Laborers International Union local 1357 walked off the job at Pace Industries in Derry early Thursday morning after union leaders said contract talks broke down.  The Trib reports that Union President Duke Reed said that the union had been working under an extension of a previous five-year agreement that expired in May of 2024, and talks had been going on since March of last year.  Health care costs have been a sticking point in the negotiations.  Reed said the union is willing to end the walkout when he feels the company is ready to return to the bargaining table in good faith.  Pace has not issued any statement as of yet.