During Sealy Mattress Plant Negotiations, 350 Workers Locked Out

More than 350 Sealy Mattress employees in Green Island were picketing Monday morning after they were locked out due to failed contract negotiations.

Employees are asking for better pay and health benefits, and have been locked in dispute since September.

According to a source, the company decided to impose a lockout after the union declined an offer to extend the old contract while negotiations continued. The company did not want to risk the possibility of a workers' strike while it was processing orders.

"We have another meeting set for Wednesday and hopefully they'll make some changes to their proposal that's acceptable to the membership," said Bob Bruse, union district manager.

Until then, the mattress company said six other plants will pick up the slack.