There are now designated smoking areas on the campuses of all Caterpillar factories in the Peoria, Ill., area.
Caterpillar officials still say, however, that its policy banning smoking on all of its U.S. campuses has not changed. The smoking areas, including those added at East Peoria plants in the past week, were created solely for safety reasons.
Caterpillar issued the ban June 1, prompting United Auto Workers Local 974 to file an unfair labor practice charge against the company. The union contends the ban changes the contract, which specifically allows for smoking in the workplace and therefore must be negotiated.
The National Labor Relations Board Region 33 office in Peoria deferred the case to the grievance and arbitration clause in the contract. The UAW has appealed that decision to the NLRB's general counsel and is awaiting word on a ruling, said Local 974 bargaining chairman Wes Hogsett.