Vote near on shipbuilder contract

Hundreds of Newport News shipbuilders got copies of a proposed new contract Sunday, and 6,000 members of the United Steelworkers of America will vote Wednesday. Proposed is a 16.4 percent pay raise over four years, increased pensions and benefits, and a provision allowing Northrop Grumman to shuffle workers among shipyards. (Source: The Virginia Pilot, 10/27/08)