The Republic staff reports
About 1,000 Cummins Inc. employees will take another 11 days unpaid this year as the company further reduces the workload due to the recession.
Cummins and Office Committee Union reached an agreement this week that will result in most OCU members taking a week's worth of unpaid leave before September, said Mark Land, director of public relations.
The members also are to take six more days throughout the year around the company's eight designated holidays.
OCU includes about 1,100 members in Bartholomew and Jackson counties. They work as drafters, metallurgists, experimental machinists and in clerical jobs.
The agreement excludes OCU members at Columbus Engine Plant and the Columbus Midrange Engine Plant near Walesboro.
And OCU members at the Fuel Systems Plant will work two hours less each week - but they will not take the 11 days unpaid leave.
Land said the steps were taken because of continued weak orders across most markets and to avoid involuntary layoffs.
The Columbus-based engine maker since Oct. 1 has cut about 1,820 full-time jobs worldwide, including 660 in southern Indiana.
OCU leaders could not be reached.