Striking workers ratify contract with Beall.

Byline: Laura Tode

Oct. 26--Boilermakers Union Local 599 ratified a three-year contract with Beall Corp. of Montana, bringing 114 workers back on the job after a week-long strike. The workers voted this morning 70 to 25 to accept a contract that includes a change in health insurance providers. Starting this month, workers will be covered by the National Boilermakers Health and Welfare Trust.

The new insurance package is slightly more expensive than the previous plan, and the workers agreed to pick up the difference in the cost. The new plan will cost them about 61 cents an hour, which will be a reduction in pay. The company has agreed to pay insurance cost increases up to 12 percent a year for the life of the contract. If increases are less, workers will see a reduction in their contribution; if insurance cost increases rise above 12 percent, their share will increase.

The possible fluctuations in costs are a risk the workers are willing to take because the coverage is better, said David Bye, the union president. The new package offers lower deductibles and better long-term disability coverage.

"They're doing exactly what we hoped they would do," said Dave Shannon, vice president and ...