BRIEF: Philadelphia optical workers end strike [The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]

Feb. 21--Union workers at an eyeglasses plant owned by Highmark Inc. have returned to work following a four-week strike.

Members of the United Optical Workers union Local 81408, who work in Newtown Square in suburban Philadelphia, agreed to a new contract with Davis Vision, a for-profit subsidiary of health insurer Highmark.

The 115 union-represented workers walked off the job Jan. 23 after 10 months without a contract. Union members agreed to the new three-year pact Saturday and were back at work Monday, said George Yanoshik Jr., a Davis Vision spokesman.

During the strike, work from Davis Vision's Newtown Square plant was shifted to plants in New York and Texas. Eyeglasses production was slowed during recent weeks due to the strike and "record order volume in January and February," according to a letter Davis Vision sent to its providers.

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