Unions that represent about 400 workers in the central Vermont granite industry and employers are entering the final month of contract negotiations.
Matt Peake of the Granite Cutters Association in Barre says everyone knows times are tough.
Most Barre-area granite manufacturers are working under contracts that expire at the end of April.
Between now and then, the Granite Cutters Association and the United Steel Workers of America must negotiate three separate contracts each.
Jeff Martell of Granite Industries of Vermont will lead a seven-member negotiating team that will meet separately with representatives of both unions.
He tells the Barre Montpelier Times Argus he’s confident that a contract can be reached.