Bridgestone Americas, USWA agree to suspend bargaining

ST. LOUIS (April 28) — Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. and the United Steelworkers of America agreed today to suspend contract negotiations while the union focuses on talks with Goodyear, the target tire industry company for 2003. Bargaining sessions, which began March 14 in St. Louis, will end today or April 29, a USWA spokesman said. Talks between the union and Michelin North America Inc.'s Uniroyal Goodrich units are continuing, he said. The USWA chose Goodyear as the target company for master agreement negotiations on April 7. Typically, bargaining with the other firms is idled while the focus is put on the target. After a bargaining pattern is set with the target company, the other companies restart contract discussions and traditionally follow the pattern. Unionized employees at each of the Big Three tire firms currently are working on day-to-day contract extensions.