Break-Away Group CUNA Mutual Won'tReconcile

MADISON, Wis. - (06/10/05) -- A group of white collar workers atCUNA Mutual Group hopes once the company completes an impendingcontract with its employees union, the Office and ProfessionalEmployees International Union, Local, 39, it will begin separatenegotiations with them on a separate collective bargainingagreement. The group, which represents 350 workers, most of them inIT, voted to separate from the main bargaining unit of the Local 39over frustrations in the lack of a contract agreement. JeanHarrelson, a spokesperson for the group, said they plan to abide bythe main provisions of the agreement with the Local 39, but hope tonegotiate improvements or additions that would pertain particularlyto the group. "We have been very quite, in order to allow thenegotiations to progress," Harrelson told The Credit Union Journal,adding they plan to continue to push the union for a separate deal."We are not going to melt away. We have 350 people who want aseparate bargaining unit. So we are not going to meltaway."