Marinette Marine Workers Reject Labor Agreement

Approximately 700 employees Marinette Marine a subsidiary of the Manitowoc Company, Inc., have voted against the recommendation of the union's bargaining committee and have rejected a four-year labor agreement offered by the company. The shipyard workers, who are represented by Boilermaker Union Local 696, initiated a work stoppage at midnight on January 21, 2003. For unspecified reasons, the union's bargaining committee did not present the company's final offer to its members prior to the January 21 work stoppage. Following a series of meetings with federal mediators, the union's bargaining committee presented a number of modifications to the company's proposed final offer. The union's bargaining committee stated that it would recommend the modified offer to its membership for immediate ratification. The company informed the union that it would accept the bargaining committee's proposal if ratified, but if the proposal was rejected the company would revert to its final offer as presented on January 21. No further talks have been scheduled between the union bargaining committee and the company. Marinette Marine is continuing to operate with management personnel.