Negotiators for Wheatland Tube Co. and striking United Steelworkers Local 1660 made progress Tuesday in one of their most intensive bargaining sessions to date.

Negotiators and a federal mediator began talks over a new labor contract at 1 p.m. took a break at about 6 p.m. and resumed at 7:30. Bargainers broke for the night shortly before 9 p.m. and plan to resume talks at 1 this afternoon.

Wheatland Tube Vice President Bill Kerins said a news blackout will be imposed as long as progress continues in contract talks.

Local 1660 struck the Wheatland pipe and tube plant April 28 when its previous contract expired. The local represents 470 production and maintenance workers.

Meeting with a federal mediator, the last time company and union negotiators talked turkey was Aug. 20 when they met for 4è hours.

Sticking points in the strike are health-care insurance premiums and co-payments and pensions.

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