Freightliner Machinists Strike Oregon Plant

Machinists for Freightliner Trucks in Portland, Ore., went on strike Tuesday morning over insurance and overtime provisions in a proposed labor contract, the Oregonian newspaper reported.

Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 24 voted to reject a tentative pact agreed to by the company and union leadership on Sunday, the paper reported on its Web site.

Union leaders had recommended approval, the Oregonian said.

Freightliner's truckmaking plant on Swan Island was already scheduled to be closed this week through Thursday, so the strike did not immediately affect production there, the paper reported.

The union represents about 670 machinists at the truck plant. Three other unions representing drivers, painters and janitors approved the deal, the Oregonian said.

Freightliner said in January it would cut about 2,000 jobs in Oregon and North Carolina this year due to projected lower demand, in part from environmental regulations that took effect Jan. 1.