Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Best Places to Work
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • War in Ukraine
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • ITEC
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • Airless Tires
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
    • Rubber In Automotive Conference
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
August 22, 2016 02:00 AM

USW ratifies labor agreement with Michelin

Rubber & Plastics News Report
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—The United Steelworkers union has ratified a master agreement with two Michelin/BFGoodrich plants in the U.S., according to results posted on two Locals' websites.

    Locals 351 and 715 voted to accept the agreement, 1,034 to 741, thus establishing a new labor agreement through July 27, 2019, for the facilities in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Fort Wayne, Ind.

    A majority of the Tuscaloosa membership voted for the agreement, 595 to 265. However the majority of membership at Fort Wayne voted against the agreement, 476 to 439 with three votes voided.

    Voting was finalized on Aug. 17.

    The policy brings about the first general wage increase at the facilities in 16 years and only the second since COLA was implemented more than 40 years ago, according to a summary of the contract posted on Locals' websites.

    Level 1 and 2 new tier employees will receive a $1 per hour increase in the first pay period following ratification, according to the summary. All new Tier Level 3, 4, 5 and technical maintenance will receive a 30 cent per hour increase in the first pay period following ratification, another 30 cent increase per hour in the first pay period of August 2017, and 35 cents per hour in the first pay period of August 2018.

    Other highlights from the summary include:

    • Michelin agreed to renew the plant security side letter from the 2009 contract;
    • COLA will continue to have a guaranteed minimum and maximum during the life of the contract, set at 0.5 percent and 3 percent;
    • All new tier employees whose wages have caught up to the grandfathered wages along with technical maintenance employees will have COLA increases incorporated for the life of the agreement;
    • The USW was successful in stopping Michelin from forcing the remaining grandfathered employees working in Level 1 and 2 jobs out of those positions over the course of the next three years and from contracting out certain jobs;
    • Contract language has been corrected to ensure employees are credited properly when determining employer contributions for a participant who is suspended;
    • The USW was successful in getting Michelin to agree to auto enrolling new hires into their 401k plan at 2 percent and all members can increase or decrease their contributions; and
    • Despite escalating costs, the summary outlined the union maintained lower premiums than other competitors.

    In 2013, the union negotiated master agreements for all three major tire makers in the same summer. The three agreements with Goodyear, Michelin and Bridgestone Corp. were set to expire in July of 2017, but the Michelin contract contained an opt out clause for 2016.

    Related Articles
    USW uses report to bash TPP
    Michelin executive to deliver keynote at ITEC
    Michelin increases stake in natural rubber supplier
    Michelin stays on target despite slowing markets
    USW, Michelin reach tentative labor agreements
    Investigations begin following fourth death at tire plant
    Michelin seeks inconsequential noncompliance
    Cameron to speak at Fort Wayne Rubber Group meeting
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    EV owners: OE tires falling drastically short of treadwear expectations
    2
    Wacker gets bullish on China with $100 million investment
    3
    80 years later, PPG silicas still driving tire performance
    4
    Canada funding efforts to cut tire-wear particle pollution
    5
    Rubber futures close low as demand in China slows
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Best Places to Work
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • War in Ukraine
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • ITEC
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • Airless Tires
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
        • Rubber In Automotive Conference
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION