USWA local turns down Bridgestone/Firestone contract offer

MORRISON, Tenn. (July 25)—Members of United Steelworkers of America Local 1155, who staff Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.´s Warren County, Tenn., tire plant, overwhelmingly rejected a six-year contract proposal from the company July 21. The union, which voted 589 to 14 against the proposal after its bargaining committee recommended against its acceptance, said the offer failed to address several issues, including seniority and mandatory overtime. The members will continue to work under the previous contract´s terms and a 14-day termination notice agreement, even though the pact expired July 22.