Negotiators for United Steelworkers Local 1660 are meeting today with a federal mediator, but no talks are planned with Wheatland Tube Co.

"We're just going to go over the issues with the mediator,'' said Dominic Vadala, president of the local. Representing 470 members at Wheatland Tube's Wheatland plant, the local struck the company on April 28 after its labor contract expired.

Union workers said the company is asking for excessive concessions, such as co-pay for health insurance and changes in pensions and benefits for retirees. Wheatland Tube has said it needs the sought-after labor package to remain competitive in a global economy.

The pipe and tube industry is mired in its worst recession in more than 20 years. Wheatland Tube said its other plants have been filling production orders since the strike began.