Unions Reject Contract Offer In Paper Mill Strike

A group of seven unions representing 600 striking workers at Finch, Pruyn & Co. Inc.’s mill in Glen Falls, N.Y., has rejected the company's latest contract offer.

The paper manufacturer had proposed earlier this month that workers pay 25 percent of their health care premiums down from the 50 percent it had demanded in June, when the workers began their strike.

The company also offered each worker a $1,500 signing bonus if the unions agreed to the terms by midnight Friday.

Union officials said the offer was rejected Friday because it did not address other issues, including holiday and Sunday pay.

The unions are urging the company to come back to the bargaining table for more negotiations, held in front of a federal mediator, and the company said it will. No new talks were immediately scheduled.

''Finch Pruyn has an obligation to meet with the union,'' said spokesman John Brodt. He said the company was disappointed by the union's rejection.

''The company has made two offers now and we've made a major move on health insurance,'' Brodt said. ''We are keeping with our long-standing goal of keeping in line with our competitors' contracts.''  Associated Press.