It is reported that workers at Cascade Steel Rolling Mills Inc in McMinnville voted down the company's most recent contract offer and authorized its union to call for a strike.

Mr Joe Munger president of the United Steel Workers Local 8378, declined to release the vote tally. But he said that the local had 398 members voting, for about 90% turnout and that they voted overwhelmingly against the contract.

Mr Munger said that a key sticking point was what he described as union strengthening language that the company wanted to dilute at the last minute. He added that he expects the company to call him Friday morning, and that he hopes to resume contract talks.

Cascade Steel is a subsidiary of Schnitzer Steel in Portland. Company officials were unavailable for comment Thursday.