Union prepares its members for ratification voting

June 9, 2005

According to the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW), informational meetings will soon be held in the eight locations involved in recently completed contract negotiations between the union and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC.

Tentative agreements covering 6,000 workers at eight U.S. plants were reached earlier today. They include:

* The master contract, which covers members at Local 7 in Akron, Ohio; Local 138 in Noblesville, Ind.; Local 310 in Des Moines, Iowa; Local 884 in Rusellville, Ark.; Local 998 in Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Local 1055 in La Vergne, Tenn.

* A tentative agreement with Local 787 of Bloomington, Ill. A similar offer has been tendered to members of Local 1155 in Warren County, Tenn.

* A tentative agreement with the Local 1055 maintenance workers in La Vergne, Tenn., who are covered by a separate contract.

"Details of the tentative agreements will not be released to the media prior to the members having the opportunity to examine and discuss the proposed contracts at the local meetings," said the union in an official statement.

The USW also negotiated master contracts with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Michelin North America Inc. and Continental Tire North America Inc. The USW represents 70,000 members employed in the tire and rubber industry and more than 850,000 workers overall in the United States and Canada.