CHICAGO (Reuters) - Caterpillar Inc. and its largest union said on Wednesday they had agreed to extend the terms of their old contract, which expires at midnight, while negotiations for a new labor pact continue.þþPeoria, Illinois-based Caterpillar, the world's largest maker of construction equipment, has been in contract talks with the United Auto Workers union since December 10.þþThe union represents more than 8,000 active Caterpillar employees at seven plants and more than 20,000 retirees.þþA Caterpillar spokesman said the duration of the extension has not yet been determined.þþThe union said its members would continue to report to work while negotiations continue.þþThe current negotiations have been quieter than the previous round, which stretched from 1991 to 1998 and included two failed strikes. Both sides so far have declined to comment on issues being discussed.þþThe UAW represents workers at Caterpillar plants in East Peoria, Illinois, Denver; York, Pennsylvania; Memphis, Tennessee; Montgomery, Illinois; Decatur, Illinois; and Pontiac, Illinois. þþ
Source: NY Times
