PITTSBURGH (June 14)—Workers at eight U.S. Bridgestone/Firestone tire and rubber facilities tentatively will vote on new contracts during ratification meetings June 28-29.
Negotiators for the United Steelworkers union reached a tentative deal June 9 with the Nashville-based tire maker. About 6,000 workers have been working on day-to-day extensions since the previous three-year contract expired in April 2003.
USW locals in Akron; Lavergne, Tenn.; Warren County, Tenn.; Noblesville, Ind.; and Oklahoma City will hold informational meetings for members either on June 16 or June 16-17. Local 884 in Russellville, Ark., will hold an informational meeting June 20; Local 310 in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 21-23; and Local 787 in Bloomington, Ill., on June 26.
All the locals are covered by a master contract with BFS except for Local 787 and Local 1155 in Warren County, which are covered by separate contracts. All the contracts, if ratified, will expire on July 23, 2006, lining them up with master contracts reached with Goodyear and Michelin North America Inc.'s BFGoodrich tire units.