
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 18, 1993                   TAG: 9305180137
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: EDEN, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

FIELDCREST UNION BEGINS 2-DAY STRIKE

Union workers at Fieldcrest's Decorative Bedding plant began a 48-hour strike to protest the firing of a union leader and other alleged unfair labor practices, the union said Monday.

About 500 workers were striking and 2,150 others at six Fieldcrest plants in Eden and Fieldale, Va., were voting Monday on whether to stage a 24-hour unfair-labor-practice strike at those plants.

The moves came during negotiations between Fieldcrest and the union, whose members have been working without a contract for several weeks. The one-day strike, if approved at the five plants, was to have begun at 11 p.m. Monday, said Doug MacLeoud, a spokesman for the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union.

The union contends Thursday's firing of union officer and shop steward Laverne Lambeth was for union activity. It also has accused the company of threatening union leaders for union activity and refusing to discuss grievances.

"As far back as April 23, they used phrases such as all-out fight, whatever it takes . . . I think we can say we're not surprised by any of this," said Ozzie Raines, vice president of human resources at Fieldcrest.

"The purpose of this strike is to send a strong message to the management of this company that the harassment of leadership will not be tolerated," said Ernest Bennett, ACTWU assistant southern regional director. - Associated Press

by CNB