The State : Bay Area Burials to Begin

Burial of about 800 bodies that have been stored during a six-week strike at 11 San Francisco Peninsula cemeteries can begin now that a new contract calling for higher wages for the cemetery workers has been approved. The settlement was made final when the 180 striking workers voted to accept a contract negotiated by their union, Cemetery Workers and Green Attendants Local 265, and Associated Cemeteries, which represents management. The settlement calls for an hourly wage hike of 65 cents May 13, another 62.5 cents March 1, 1986, and another 57.5 cents in March, 1987, said union spokeswoman Joan Twomey. The hourly wage is currently $12.50.