Picketing Continues at Rockwell

A stalemate continues between Rockwell International Corp. and 630 union employees who went on strike last week at the semiconductor division in Newport Beach. Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2295 in El Monte called for the strike last week, after workers narrowly voted down a five-year contract because of disputes over wages and scheduling.

Striking employees say they are determined to continue picketing the company. Rockwell officials say the strike has not affected their business.

Though the company and strikers in Orange County have not resumed negotiations, Rockwell has held “exploratory discussions” with strikers at its plant in Coralville, Iowa. Last week, 655 IBEW workers walked out of the Iowa plant, which makes airplane guidance systems. The striking workers represent nearly 82% of that plant’s work force.