Illinois smoking ban riles union workers [View All]

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The Associated Press


EAST PEORIA, Ill. --The United Auto Workers union has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Caterpillar Inc. because of its decision to ban smoking on all of its U.S. properties beginning Sunday.

The union claims the ban goes against guarantees in the company's contract with the UAW, adding that whether workers can smoke should be subjected to collective bargaining.

The dispute over smoking, which the union says has been a contractual privilege for 60 years, has Caterpillar officials worried about a possible strike. However, union bargaining chairman Bill Scott says the UAW is not encouraging any work stoppage over the issue. He noted the union and Caterpillar have a "no strike, no lockout" clause in their contract.

Caterpillar labor relations manager Dan Day said in a prepared statement that the company "cares about the health of its employees and wants to ensure that everyone who works on or visits Caterpillar property has access to the healthiest and safest work environment possible."
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Scott said the complaint was about the right to bargain, not smoking. He said workers who smoke follow state law by smoking outside and at least 15 feet from doorways.
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