OTHER NEWS - March 20, 1996

Caterpillar to Close Plant, Eliminate 1,100 Jobs: The maker of earthmoving equipment said it will begin closing the parts plant in York, Pa., over a two- to three-year period, because the operation is not competitive. A parts warehouse employing 300 members of the United Auto Workers union will remain open there. The factory was among those targeted in a 17-month UAW strike that ended last year without a new contract. Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar Inc. first raised concerns with union leaders about the facility’s cost competitiveness and the possibility of closing it in December 1991. Gov. Tom Ridge and U.S. Rep. Bill Goodling (R-Pa.) plan to meet with company and union officials to see whether the closure decision can be reversed, Ridge spokesman Tim Reeves said.