UAW to Vote on Volvo Contract

DUBLIN, Va. (AP) — Members of the United Auto Workers are scheduled to vote Thursday on a contract with Volvo Trucks North America.

arlier this month, union members rejected a contract calling for new workers to receive a starting wage 30 percent less than current workers and different health insurance benefits.

either company nor union officials would say Monday whether the new vote is on the same proposal or a revision.

The contract rejection came days after Gov. Jim Gilmore announced in the State of the Commonwealth speech Jan. 13 that Volvo was planning a $148 million expansion that would create 1,277 new jobs.

olvo threatened to cancel the expansion and move part or all of its Dublin plant to Mexico if workers didn't accept a contract by Jan. 31. The existing contract expires in March 2000.