Potlatch woodworkers poised for picket line (1st strike since 1948)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/542594.html

The Associated Press • Published August 13, 2008

Potlatch Corp. woodworkers in Lewiston are poised for the picket lines.

Union leaders say an official strike comes after negotiators failed to resolve differences with the timber company Tuesday over salaries and pension benefits.

Ron Teigen, representative for the Association of International Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, says the company backed the workers into a corner.

Potlatch spokesman Matt Van Vleet declined to comment on the strike or Tuesday's six-hour negotiations, which were overseen by a federal mediator.

The strike involves 265 employees at the company's sawmill and power boiler. It marks the first strike at the mill since 1948.