Warren County workers won't strike

July 21, 2005

Steelworkers at Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC's (BFNT) Warren County, Tenn., plant have decided to withdraw the strike notification they had sent to the company.

Workers at the factory began re-voting on the union's tentative agreement with BFNT earlier today. Voting will continue through July 25.

The union threatened to strike on July 22. They had rejected a tentative agreement for the factory. (Steelworkers at seven other BFNT plants have ratified a new labor contract that lasts through next July.)

Due to the strike notice withdrawal, Warren County workers have returned to their previous day-to-day contract with BFNT that can be canceled by either party following a five-day notice.

"We are encouraged," says a BFNT spokesman. "We've said all along it's a good contract."

The Warren County plant can produce 7,500 medium truck tires a day at top capacity, according to Modern Tire Dealer data.