Rosebud Mine workers turn down contract offer

BILLINGS Montana :Union workers at the Rosebud Mine near Colstrip have rejected a contract offer from Western Energy Company.

Western Energy supplies the mine's coal to power plants in Colstrip.

The Operating Engineers Local 400 also voted to authorize a strike if necessary.

Contract negotiations have been under way for about a month. The current contract expires late Tuesday.

Mine manager Kent Salitros says the company made workers a fair offer and was surprised by the union's reaction.

A federal mediator from Helena is expected to arrive on Monday.

The Colstrip power plants are owned by P-P-L Montana and partners in the Pacific Northwest. Most of their power goes to NorthWestern Energy.

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