WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — The owner of a textile mill that is one of the Westerly area's largest employers says he'll lay off about a third of the mill's work force because of problems reaching a deal with his union on work rules, as well as higher energy prices.
About 53 employees at Bradford Dyeing Association, most of them members of the union, will be laid off in April.
Michael Grills says he asked workers to make concessions in the work rules provision of the contract with Unite Here! Local 431.
He told The Westerly Sun the proposed changes would have allowed workers to do the jobs of people who don't come to work.
Union Vice President Joe Edwards says the union didn't agree to the changes because it could affect its contracts in other mills.
