KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (July 31) — A United Steelworkers committee made up of local presidents representing workers at the Big Three tire makers has voted to accept the union´s tentative contract agreement with Michelin North America Inc.´s BFGoodrich tire manufacturing unit as the pattern for the industry.
The nine-man committee — made up of three presidents each from with in the BFGoodrich, Goodyear and Bridgestone/Firestone chains — met to make the decision on July 28. The USW selected BFGoodrich as its bargaining target on June 30, and the two sides reached their three-year tentative agreement on June 25.
The Steelworkers union represents about 3,400 workers at three BFGoodrich plants. Those locals have set Aug. 1-2 as dates for information meetings and ratification votes.
Goodyear and the union have recessed talks while the BFG tentative agreement is being considered and voted upon, the USW said. The two sides will return to the bargaining table in Cincinnati on Aug. 6.
BFS and the Steelworkers recessed talks June 19.