The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

July 2, 2009

UPDATE: Hodge workers reject contracts

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP — Union employees at Hodge Foundry have rejected contract offers from the company but continue work on a day-to-day basis.

Members of Glass, Molders, Potter, Plastics & Allied Workers International Union Local 273 nixed an offer just before their contract expired Tuesday and again on Wednesday. No vote counts were available.

Local 273 represents about 150 production and maintenance workers at the Hempfield Township plant. However, about half of the work force has been laid off due to a downturn in business.

A company manager said Thursday the two sides have resumed negotiations toward a new accord but declined further comment. A call to the union’s international headquarters in Media, Pa., wasn’t returned.

Employing a total of 175, the foundry was created in 1876 making it Mercer County’s oldest manufacturer. Hodge Foundry produces a wide range of engineered gray and ductile castings.

Wind power generation has been a pivotal emerging market for Hodge Foundry, which produces heavy iron castings weighing up to 200,000 pounds for wind generators.

Demand for wind generation products surged starting in late 2007 as energy prices, particularly oil, soared. But by last fall orders began falling sharply due to a downturn in the economy and plunging energy prices.

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