Plant-closing negotiations begin in Hanford

HANFORD, Calif. (Jan. 17)—Negotiations on a plant closing agreement between Pirelli Tire North America and the union representing workers at its shuttered Hanford tire factory began Jan. 16. The closure agreement will cover such areas as worker pensions and benefits, and what to do with money left in the supplemental unemployment benefit and safety funds, said Doug Godinho, president of United Steelworkers of America Local 703, which represents the hourly workers at the plant. Pirelli shut down the factory Jan. 4 after giving a six-month closure notice on Oct. 5, saying the plant wasn´t competitive with other Pirelli facilities worldwide or operations of competitors. Godinho said workers were disappointed by the closing, but not surprised.