The Region - News from Aug. 13, 1987

Nearly 9,000 United Auto Workers at Douglas Aircraft’s main plant in Long Beach failed to elect a local president, delaying a resumption of bargaining on a long-expired contract. Incumbent Bob Berghoff, who was deposed by the UAW international union after an abortive election in May, received 46% of 8,991 votes and will be in a runoff Sept. 1 and 2 against former negotiating committee chairman Doug Griffith, who had 34%. Douglas’ two plants in Long Beach and Torrance have been hit since November by a worker slowdown that has delayed delivery of at least 10 airliners. The UAW represents 10,000 of Douglas’ 28,900 workers.