CONTRACT OFFER MAY HALT STRIKE BY TEAMSTERS.

Byline: Larry Margasak Associated Press

After company negotiators submitted a new economic offer, talks between the Teamsters and companies hauling new cars continued early today despite a 12:01 a.m. strike deadline.

Teamster Chip Ross said the union was reviewing the offer but gave no further details. A union source described the new offers as comprehensive and that it likely would take some time to fully evaluate it.

No details of the offer were provided.

Nevertheless, negotiators continued to meet past a 12:01 a.m. EDT strike deadline. It was no immediately known whether they would talk through the night, or recess and resume later today.

The two sides resumed talks shortly before midnight.

A strike by the drivers, hauling cars from factories to showrooms, could mean longer waits for popular cars, union officials have said. Automakers also have worried that if a strike persisted beyond several days they would not have space to keep vehicles as they come off the assembly lines.

The negotiations represented the first major challenge at the bargaining table for the Teamsters new President James P. Hoffa, son of the legendary Teamster boss.

Earlier Monday, as the talks continued toward a 12:01 a.m. strike deadline, negotiations at times were stalled over management proposals that would establish a lower pay scale for newly hired drivers and permit hiring of part-time workers, spokesmen for both sides said.

But toward evening, progress was reported as both sides met much of the time in separate meetings, sending informal proposals back and forth. Then about an hour before midnight, as the strike loomed, the companies submitted their fresh economic offer.

``The demands for concessions are still on the table,'' Hoffa said in an interview as negotiations went into the evening. ``I told them these are `strikable' issues. I made that very clear to them.'' Management officials said the proposals are essential to meet competition from railroads and nonunion haulers.

The haulers also demanded more flexible work schedules while the Teamsters sought boosts in wages and benefits and retirement pay for employees retiring after 25 years. The union also wants to block the haulers from giving union jobs to Mexican trucking companies, something the haulers claimed they have no plans to do.

Both sides agreed that Hoffa is a factor. Hoffa was elected last December in the aftermath of a campaign finance scandal, and personally led the union negotiating team.

``This is a very important set of talks for Hoffa,'' said union spokesman Chip Roth. ``He'll be judged on his ability to deliver for the members. He knows the members will be watching him.''

Hoffa said in the interview that he felt invigorated by leading the bargaining talks. Asked if the membership was watching closely, he said, ``I certainly hope so. That's why I'm here.''

Ian Hunter, chief management negotiator, said Hoffa's personal stake in the talks ``can't be discounted as a factor. It's his first national contract. Sure, it is a political concern that he has. But we're attempting at the table to reduce that as a factor.''

The contract covers about 12,800 drivers, mechanics, and yard and office workers.

The two sides dueled publicly over the financial state of the unionized car haulers.

Roth cited the industry's ``record profits,'' adding, ``This is not an industry in need.'' Hunter said statements about record profits were ``pure propaganda.''