Byrd Delays Plant-Closings Vote

WASHINGTON — A Republican move to alter a plant-closings bill in the Senate threatens the fate of the U.S. trade bill, Senate Democratic leader Robert C. Byrd said today as he put off a vote on plant closings until Monday..

In an unusual move, Byrd revised earlier plans and announced that senators will be given one hour and 15 minutes--an hour more than usual--to vote Monday on a proposal by Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum (R-Kan.) to limit the impact of the notification bill. Under the measure, firms with at least 100 employees would have to give 60 days advance notice before closing a plant or laying off a large number of workers. Byrd says that if her amendment wins he will withdraw the notification bill from consideration.