NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - When negotiations failed to produce a new contract at a Volvo plant in Virginia this spring, its 2,900 workers went on strike.The company soon dangled what looked like a tempting offer — at least to the United Auto Workers local leaders who recommended it to their members: Pay raises.
Signing bonuses. Lower-priced health care.Yet the workers overwhelmingly rejected the proposal. And then a second one, too. Finally, they approved a third offer that provided even higher raises, plus lump-sum bonuses.For the union, it was a breakthrough that wouldn't likely have happened as recently as last year.