The strike of United Auto Workers Local 867 at Usem’s Inc.

Wednesday, October 18, 2000

The strike of United Auto Workers Local 867 at Usem’s Inc. was a short one, but effective.

UAW Local steward Wayne Bonnes said an agreement was reached with Usem’s owner Tom Sherman and his counsel Tuesday and the strike was called off about 1 p.m.

Thirteen union members who work in Usem’s body shop and parts and service departments walked off the job late Monday afternoon after an unsuccessful attempt to come to an agreement with the aid of a federal mediator.

Both sides said they "thought" a contract already had been approved with a verbal agreement.

"Suffice to say, all parties are satisfied," Bonnes said. "The union members are happy and ready to go back to work."

Negotiations on the contract, which expired in July, had been going on for several months.

Sherman said he was "relieved and happy" the short-lived strike was over and the issues causing the impasse resolved.

During the short period of the strike, other Usem’s Inc. employees filled in for the absent workers and business was not seriously interrupted.

Neither side divulged any details of the new contract.