Omnova Solutions Inc. said its Jeannette plant has returned to full production, as management and replacement workers have been working at the film-laminating facility since Dec. 4, the day the company locked out its union work force in an attempt to jump-start contract talks. Omnova said the United Steelworkers union has shown no interest in resuming talks, an allegation the union disputes. Negotiations are tentatively set to resume Jan. 5, said Al Bradosky, president of USW Local 22L, which represents about 160 workers. "The plant is up to full production. We prefer to be doing this with our union work force, but the local union has expressed no desire to return to work. The union has not asked for a meeting," said Sandi Noah, spokeswoman for Fairlawn, Ohio-based Omnova Solutions. The Jeannette plant makes films and laminates for banners, building awnings, ceiling tile and signage. Last month, union workers unanimously rejected a proposed four-year contract to replace the previous three-year deal that expired Sept. 2. The plant is being operated by management, augmented by an unknown number of replacement workers. Bradosky said workers are ready, willing and able to man work stations. "If they told us today to come back to work right now, we would be there. We were working day to day; they're the ones that put us out. Why would our people not want to work?" said Bradosky. Bradosky estimated that 40 managers and 20 replacement workers are inside the Jeannette plant. Workers conducted a rally outside the plant Dec. 7 and sang Christmas carols while huddled around a wood-burning barrel Friday. "Morale is still pretty high. We didn't do anything wrong," Bradosky said. The last negotiating session was held Nov. 22. Noah said the company "modified" its previous offer, but union leaders never took the proposal back for a rank-and-file vote. Issues in the impasse include a health care package, wages and a pension plan. Additionally, the two sides differ on issues concerning worker "flexibility" and mandatory overtime.

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