(WESTFIELD) - In the ninth week of a major strike by IAM (International Association of Machinists) Local 1555 at the Renold, Inc. manufacturing facility in the Chautauqua County Town of Westfield, talks are scheduled to resume on December 10th, Union officials tell WNYLaborToday.com this morning, voicing optimism due to a "willingness" - by both sides - to compromise on several issues, including creation of a third tier wage scale.

"There have been some optimistic things happening and they're willing to talk with us, which is good," IAM Local 1555 President Alan Lehman said.  "If I had a crystal ball, I think the company is picking up on its orders, and that too is a good sign, and they are now willing to speak with us.  We're scheduled to talk again on December tenth and I believe there will be some flexibility (on the issues) by both sides.  We had made a counter-proposal to the company's 'last and final offer,' but I think - again - both sides are willing to be flexible." 

In September, 49 skilled machinists represented by Local 1555 at Renold struck over a number of issues, including the British-owned company wanting to create a third tier of employment that the Union said would negatively impact newly-hired workers.  The dispute, according to IAM Local 1555 representatives, also involves wages, pension and health insurance coverage for 11 laid-off members and any new hires covered under a new contract.  However, Lehman told WNYLaborToday.com today the Union is still "against" a third tier wage structure, but added: "If (management) loosens their belt on this issue, maybe we can too."

Manchester, United Kingdom-headquartered Renold is described as a global leader in the manufacturing of a range of gears and couplings for a wide range of clients and whose products are used in a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, transportation, energy, steel and mining.  According to one Internet site, Renold has a well deserved reputation for quality that is recognized worldwide.  Renold, which is said to operate 15 manufacturing plants throughout the world that combined employ more than 3,000 workers, had 2007 revenues of $159 million.

"The company blames what's going on due to an 'economic downturn,' but the Westfield facility is doing the best of all their plants.  We do about fifty-million-dollars-a-year and about one-million-dollars-a-week at our facility.  Our members also make equipment for the mass transit system in New York City that receives funding which mandates New York State labor be used.  That's not happening now," Local 1555 President Lehman tells WNYLaborToday.com.

A major area of concern, Union officials said, is Renold contracting with a Minnesota-based specialty staffing company for the services of as many as 18 workers to replace its striking workforce, who make a variety of steel products for the transportation industry, including those for New York City's mass transit/subway system

"Yes they've done that, but all in all we've maintained a calm and professional picket line," said Lehman, adding the Union and its membership was bolstered by a major rally that was held a week or so ago that involved a number of area Labor Organizations, including the Dunkirk AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and its president, Doug Stock, the CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association), the United Steel Workers, the Boilermakers, several teachers Unions and other IAM locals. 

"Morale is high (on the picket line) and I'm very proud of the commitment, courage, determination and guts our members have displayed.  We're also getting a lot of support from not only other Unions, but those who live in the Westfield community," he said.