The UAW and Caterpillar Inc. today began negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement for members at the company's facilities in Peoria, Aurora, Pontiac and Decatur, Ill.; Denver; York, Pa.; and Memphis, Tenn. 

The current contract expires March 1, 2011.   

The UAW looks forward to working with one of the world's most successful manufacturing companies to achieve an agreement that maintains the company's competitiveness in a global market while accommodating the needs of both parties and will stay focused on that goal. 

Therefore, the UAW and Caterpillar will not be communicating through the media during these negotiations. There will be no regularly scheduled news releases or news conferences.

The following is a list of the UAW Caterpillar Bargaining Committee:

Local union representatives: 

Dave Hess, chairman, UAW Local 751, Rick DeGroot, co-chair, UAW Local 974, Jim Myer, secretary, UAW Local 2096, John Bogucki, UAW Local 2096, Dave Chapman, UAW Local 974, Tim Harrell, UAW Local 2406, Paul Jackson, UAW Local 974, Shane Leipart, UAW Local 786, Rob McKinney, UAW Local 1415, Steve Mitchell, UAW Local 974, Joe Morel, UAW Local 145, Dave Stanley, UAW Local 751, Mark Patton, UAW Local 145. 

UAW International staff: 

UAW Secretary-Treasurer Dennis D. Williams, who directs the union's Agricultural Implement Department, UAW Region 4 Director Ron McInroy, Dave Curson, executive assistant, UAW Secretary-Treasurer's Office, Mike Schramm, assistant director, UAW Agricultural Implement Department and International Representatives Rick Doty, Wes Hogsett, Bobby Garland, Bill Scott, Jim Steele, Tom Weber. 

The UAW represents more than 9,500 active workers at Caterpillar facilities in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Tennessee, and more than 20,000 retirees. 

The active workers are represented by seven UAW locals: Local 974, East Peoria, Ill.; Local 751, Decatur, Ill.; Local 2096, Pontiac, Ill.; Local 145, Montgomery, Ill.; Local 786, York, Pa.; Local 1415, Denver, and Local 1989, Memphis, Tenn.