Wisconsin Caterpillar employees will vote on a six-year contract proposal Tuesday. The contract would freeze wages, increase health care costs and reduce seniority protections. The contract would effect about 800 workers. The company says that wages and benefits are too high and need to be lowered for the company to be competitive. In March, the company said that it would be laying off 40% of the workers at the factory.
See "Steelworkers to vote on proposed 6-year contract with Catepillar", Alejandra Cancino, Chicago Tribune, April 29, 2013