Montana women's prison workers authorize strike

BILLINGS (AP) — The Montana Federation of Women's Prison Employees has authorized a strike.

The union represents about 50 Montana Women's Prison workers who have been without a contract since July 1, 2011.

Union members include correctional officers and correctional counselor employees.

The Billings Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/Wtf0lF) in a story published Friday that the proposal by members of the union passed in early December authorizing the strike.

The federation and the state began mediation last summer but haven't been able to reach an agreement.

Federation spokesman Joseph Dompier says pay isn't high enough recruit and retain staff.

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