Harvester, transit unions get mixed contract results

Two labor settlements in the past week show the different ways unions are faring in 1982 bargaining, writes Monitor correspondent Ed Townsend.

Approval of a new contract between the United Auto Workers and International Harvester was by no means certain as workers in four Chicago plants voted during the weekend on a tentative agreement tofreeze wages, temporarily suspend cost-of-living adjustments, and give up some holidays, vacation days, and other benefits. In return for job assurances by Harvester. Unionists resentful of Harvester labor policies opposed the concessions.

But in a move that could influence public employee bargaining nationally, New York City transit workers were awarded an increase of 20 percent over three years. Workers wanted more but said the settlement avoided concessions sought by the the city's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.