Bridgestone/Firestone makes contract offer to USWA

ST. LOUIS (Aug. 17)—Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. made a master contract offer to the United Steelworkers of America Aug. 15. The two sides have been negotiating for the past five months on agreements affecting 8,000 organized company workers at nine U.S. tire and rubber plants. The USWA is reviewing the proposal and is planning a response. The union did not divulge the contents of the offer, but did say it appeared the company was "not pursuing some of the takeaways" it was seeking earlier in negotiations. The workers currently are working on extensions of previously expired contracts.