**UPDATE**Company Makes Last Offer

The contract for workers at the two New Bakery plants in Zanesville has expired without a new deal in place, but workers are still on the job. This afternoon the company says it made its last best offer.

The collective bargaining agreement between the Company and members of the Bakers and Confectionaries Union Local 57 expired at midnight.

Today Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputies started providing security at both plants in the event of a strike.
An employee at the plant who wished to remain anonymous says the main sticking points to a new contract are: losing a one dollar prescription card, not knowing how much a new insurance plan will cost workers and seniority issues.

The Company’s Plant Manager Sam Mclaughlin says the company is offering a near seven percent wage increase over the term of the contract. He says the offer includes the same health and disability benefits as all other bakery employees.

The company says it plans to continue bakery operations even without a new contract in place. He says the company continues discussions with Union Officials and hopes the Union will bring the Company’s last and best offer to a vote of the membership this weekend.