The Region - News from July 15, 1987

Nearly 1,000 machinists who work at Solar Turbines Inc. in San Diego walked off their jobs, claiming that their company’s new contract offer is “radical and unreasonable,” and both sides are preparing for what may be a long strike, a union official said. Negotiations for a new contract between the company and the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which started May 29, have stalemated over numerous issues, including wages, job security, pensions, hiring policies and quality control,” said Matthew McKinnon, business representative for the union local. The international company is known for its production of turbine engines for oil and gas exploration. Anticipating a strike, the company had prepared to reduce the daily work schedule from three shifts to one, a company spokeswoman said.