Electrical workers say no to DTE pact;

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071010/BIZ/710100390/1001

Rejection could start clock on strike deadline at energy supplier's plants, including Fermi II and Monroe.

Eric Morath / The Detroit News

The electrical workers of the union that represents more than 4,000 DTE Energy Co. employees has rejected a tentative contract, according to a posting this week on the Utility Workers Union of America Local 223's Web site.

In the three-year agreement, the union won an average annual wage increase of 3.25 percent and other benefits, including improved life insurance, but agreed to pay more for health care and get fewer sick days.

Union leaders had recommended ratification. The rejection of the deal could set in motion strike protocol that would affect the Detroit-based utility's power plants, including Fermi II and Monroe. The ratification ballot, a sample of which was posted to the union Web site, stated that a "no" vote would authorize the negotiating committee to exercise a 45-day notice of intent to strike.

DTE spokesman Len Singer said the company is aware of the results posted to the local's Web site, but hasn't received official vote counts from the union, nor any type of strike notice.

"We continue to be in discussions with union leadership," he said. "We understand that less than half of Local 223 voted on the tentative contract, and we are concerned about the wishes of the silent majority."

DTE and the union reached the tentative agreement on a new three-year contract on Aug. 15. Rank-and-file members had until Oct. 5 to vote on the deal.

FULL story at link.