Caterpillar Submits New Terms to Union

Caterpillar Inc. negotiators on Friday presented a new contract proposal to the United Auto Workers, hours before the midnight deadline for reaching a labor pact for 17,000 workers in five states.

Caterpillar officials, citing a company-imposed news blackout, refused to comment on the proposal. Union sources, speaking on condition they not be identified, said the company had changed its position on some issues.

Published reports on Thursday said that among unresolved issues was the length of the contract. The UAW sought a two-year contract while the company wanted a 40-month agreement, the reports said.

The UAW contract negotiations with Caterpillar, a manufacturer of heavy-construction equipment, cover workers in Iowa, Colorado, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Illinois.