According to representatives on both sides, there was at least one positive development from the first meeting in two weeks between striking members of United Steelworkers Local 1660 and Wheatland Tube Co. management: Nobody left the 4è-hour bargaining session angry.

Wednesday's session, the first since Aug. 6, "was professional and productive," company Vice President Bill Kerins said of the meeting that lasted from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

"This time I can pretty much agree with him," said Dominic Vadala, the union's chief negotiator. "That's pretty much how it went."

Vadala said the session was the longest in "quite awhile," leaving him and union negotiators somewhat optimistic.

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