Both sides will meet next week in Maytag’s labor dispute, though it may not be clear what the goal of their get-together is. Leaders from the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America — or, the U-A-W — will meet with Maytag corporation and a federal mediator next Wednesday in Chicago. Mike Cupples, a member of the UAW Local 997 bargaining team, says it’s a “non-negotiating meeting,” to discuss the sticking points in the contract and see if there’s a possibility of resuming negotiations. But Maytag Senior Director of Corporate Communications Lynn Dragomeier says the meetings purpose is to resume contract negotiations. Dragomeier sent a joint press release from the company and union stating “negotiations are set to resume June 23 on a new labor contract covering production and maintenance employees.” Over 1500 workers at the Maytag plant in Newton walked off the production line and onto the picket line, after negotiations between the company and union broke down over health benefits and other issues.
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