Bridgestone/Firestone Workers May Strike

Sat., Aug. 19, 2000

The union representing 8,000 Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. workers says it will end contract extensions in 14 days, and will probably strike if no new contract is reached.

A work stoppage would come as the Japanese-American tire maker ramps up production to replace 6.5 million 15-inch truck tires it recalled last week. Federal regulators are investigating 62 deaths and 100 injuries that could be linked to the Firestone tires.

The United Steelworkers of America said Friday that the latest contract proposal presented by Bridgestone/Firestone on Tuesday for workers at nine plants fell far short of the union’s goals.

The union and Bridgestone/Firestone have been negotiating since March; the union represents workers in factories at Akron, Ohio; Bloomington, Ill.; Decatur, Ill.; Des Moines, Iowa; LaVergne, Tenn.; Noblesville, Ind.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Russellville, Ark.; and Warren County, Tenn.

A union spokesman said there were still several economic and non-economic topics on the table, including seniority rights, grievance procedures and pensions.

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Bridgestone/Firestone Workers May Strike

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