Alcan workers vote on contract

Union workers at Alcan's Ravenswood aluminum plant will go immediately on strike if they vote to reject the company's final contract offer this week, Alcan said in a prepared statement Thursday.

Alcan's union workers were scheduled to vote Thursday and today on the contract. Voting results are expected to be available Saturday morning.

Last month, union workers turned down a previous contract offer by a 5-1 margin.

Union leaders have said the latest two-year contract proposal nearly mirrors the original collective-bargaining offer.

In Thursday's statement, Alcan said the offer would provide $64.7 million in higher wages, health insurance and improved pension benefits.

"Alcan-Ravenswood is doing everything in its power to make the plant a more efficient competitor in the global aluminum products industry," company spokesman Morrie Newell said. "The modifications the company has made to its offer - and indeed the stance it has taken throughout the negotiations - are to create an environment in which the company can work together with the union to find ways to make Alcan-Ravenswood among the best suppliers in its business.

The latest contract offer includes a provision that would establish a "work reorganization" committee at the plant. Union leaders have said the proposal could lead to additional layoffs. Alcan said no employees would be laid off.

With 1,000 workers, Alcan is Jackson County's largest employer.