USWA local ratifies three-year deal with Cooper

TEXARKANA, Ark. (March 19)—Members of United Steelworkers Local 752 voted overwhelmingly March 15 to accept a new three-year contract with Cooper Rubber & Tire Co. Local 752—which fills hourly jobs at Cooper's Texarkana radial passenger and light truck tire plant—ratified the pact by a 914-187 vote. The previous three-year contract officially expired at midnight March 3 and was extended a week before a tentative agreement was reached March 10. Under the deal's terms, the local's 1,550 members will receive a 20-cent wage increase this year, a 25-cent raise in 2003 and a 25-cent bump in 2004. The workers also will get annual cost-of-living allowance boosts, with a 22-cent increase this year and a 30-cent hike in both 2003 and 2004. The contract also provides a $7 pension multiplier increase to $51.50 per month per year of service.