Union workers at cement plant reject contract offer

CARSON CITY — Union workers at a Northern Nevada cement plant have rejected a contract proposal from the company, a union representative said Friday.

Richard “Skip” Daly, business manager for International Union Local 169, said union members voted 25-4 against the proposal offered by Nevada Cement, located in Fernley. A vote was held Wednesday, and 42 union members were eligible to participate.

The previous contract expired Feb. 28 but was extended as negotiations continued. Daly said the two sides are scheduled to meet again June 22. The latest contract extension expires June 30.

Daly said the biggest dispute is over pension benefits.

“Like many corporations, they want to shift to a 401(k) system, basically nothing more than a glorified savings account,” Daly said.

He said he expects a second vote by membership before the end of the month.

Joseph Sells, president of Nevada Cement, had no comment Friday, a woman in his office said when contacted by phone.