Locked-out Raytheon
employees will go back
to work

Unionized employees of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems will return to work Monday after a truce was called in a work stoppage and subsequent lockout that idled seven machinists this week at the West Loch Naval Installation on Oahu.

The two sides met yesterday to resolve the lockout, which grew out of a long-running contract dispute. They agreed that the workers should return, but no progress was made in the larger dispute.

"No other agreements were reached but the lockout is over and it'll be great to have those workers back," said Raytheon spokesman Guy Shields.

The seven workers walked off the job on Monday, citing frustrations over a two-year battle with Raytheon over a new labor contract and charges of unfair labor practices. Union representative Maria Santiago Lillis said the workers were prepared to return to work within two days, but Raytheon locked them out on Tuesday.

Raytheon took that step to guard against disruption during a scheduled Navy review of the company's work, said Shields. Raytheon has a contract with the Navy to maintain and repair torpedoes.

The two sides remain no closer to resolving differences over pay and working conditions that have helped stymied efforts to put a contract in place.

Shields said the company's contract offer would raise salaries of four employees while cutting those of four others. Lillis said the offer violates federal standards for that type of work.

Eight of Raytheon's 68 employees are union members. The eighth member was on leave during the walkout.