LABOR

Caterpillar Strike Threatened: The United Auto Workers union said it will strike plants nationwide if a labor dispute is not resolved by Tuesday. The union also asked federal mediators to schedule immediate meetings to address what it called unfair labor practices by the Peoria, Ill.-based company. The UAW said its 14,500 Caterpillar workers will strike if the meetings fail to resolve the conflict that has led to nine walkouts since September. “Our members are being illegally disciplined, suspended, fired and locked out,” said Jerry Baker, chairman of the UAW central bargaining committee. UAW members have been working without a contract under terms of Caterpillar’s final offer, imposed in April, 1992.