fbpx

Talc Mill Workers, Managers to Resume Talks Amid Lockout

Workers at a Three Forks plant have been locked out since Aug. 2

By Associated Press

BUTTE — Management and union workers at a talc-milling plant in Three Forks plan to resume contract negotiations amid a worker lockout that’s lasted nearly a month.

The Montana Standard reports that Imerys America officials and union representatives will be joined by a professional mediator when talks resume on Sept. 11.

The company locked the workers out on Aug. 2 after union members voted down what the company called its final offer for a new contract.

The workers have since picketed the plant, which continues to operate with replacement workers. The picket line has drawn politicians from across the state, including Gov. Steve Bullock, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and Attorney General Tim Fox.

Bullock said it is the first employee lockout in Montana since the 1980s.