The union at Maytag in Newton is preparing for new contract negotiations as economists predict a slow-down in the appliance industry. Nevertheless, United Auto Workers Local 9-9-7 President Pat Teed is optimistic.Teed says workers have selected a bargaining committee that’s working on a proposal they’ll present to Maytag executives.U-A-W Local 9-9-7 represents over 22-hundred Maytag workers, and their contract with Maytag expires June 1st. The last Maytag labor contract was negotiated in December of 1993.