Thursday, September 14, 2000 Older Editions

Tension & talks for Raytheon, strikers

By Rebecca Piro

With a second meeting under their belts, IBEW Local 1505 President Stan Lichwala says both Raytheon and the union are inching towards an understanding and a possible resolution.

Raytheon representatives, union leaders and federal mediator Jim Fosse sat down together for the second time since the strike began 19 days ago to talk about their differences. But despite the effort to cooperate on both sides, there is still a tremendous amount of tension and distrust, said Lichwala.

"We met last Friday and laid out the groundwork on how we will proceed," said Lichwala about the first meeting. "We had some light discussions on different things. We're still far apart, but we're talking to them cautiously."

Almost 3,000 union workers have been on strike since Sunday, Aug. 27 when employees voted to reject a contract they said offered poor job security, low pay increases, sky-high co-payments with medical benefits and low pension packages for retired workers.

If a resolution to the parties' differences is possible, it will not be before many meetings have taken place between the company and the union, added Lichwala.

Raytheon spokesperson David Polk would not speculate on any progress the parties may or may not be reaching.

"I'm not going to characterize the meetings; they are confidential. I'm not saying whether there has been progress," he said.

Polk did reiterate that the counter-proposal Raytheon received from the union set the parties "farther apart," because of 33 demands on the contract.

But that statement is only another example of the company's "mean-spirited" attitude, said Lichwala. "There are 18 proposals, not 33. That's a lie," he said.

Lichwala said that workers are still stewing over a lack of health benefits, which were cut from union workers only days into the strike. Though Raytheon has begun to talk with the union, it is still displaying an "anti-worker" mentality, he added.

Strikers' bitterness over those cut benefits, as well as demands for job security and better pay has fueled what Police Chief Brian Pattullo called "excessive" noise from the picket line. Since the strike began, several residents have complained about the ruckus that starts early in the morning and lasts until early evening hours, police have said.

One resident in particular, who claims to be very ill, petitioned help from the Board of Selectmen last week.

In response, selectmen wrote a letter to the union last week, stating their intention to create a quiet zone in the event that strikers did not voluntarily quiet down first, said Chairman Brian Major. The union leaders passed on the message to strikers at a meeting Sunday, and since then have been less of a nuisance to residents, said Pattullo.

Of course, the number of people on the picket line has been slowly dwindling, Pattullo added, which has an effect on the noise level as well.

Not more than 75 people circled Raytheon's main gate Tuesday morning, when Lawrence Mayor Patricia Dowling appeared at the picket line to show her support of the union, said Lt. James Hashem. This week Methuen Mayor Sharon Pollard and two councilors also walked the line with strikers to show their support. And it was only about two weeks ago that Congressman Marty Meehan and Sen. Ted Kennedy showed up at the plant's gates to vouch for strikers' rights and job security.

"It's getting to be a grandstanding place," said Hashem. "No politician wants to miss it."

On the other hand, Lichwala welcomes all the publicity their political supporters stir up.

"It's great to have political friends," he said.

Religious figures took their turn supporting the strike Tuesday night in the form of a candlelight vigil, which began outside Raytheon's main gate just as the sun set. Merrimack Valley Project clergymen called for strength in prayer for strikers, who have been without health benefits for weeks, singing God Bless America.

"(The clergy) put their own spin on patriotism," said Mike Noetzel, press secretary for the union.