USW ratifies new 4-year pacts with Bridgestone Americas

ERJ staff report (TB)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- The United Steelworkers (USW) union´s members have ratified, by more than a 2:1 ratio, new four-year contracts covering 4,500 workers at seven Bridgestone Americas-operated tyre and rubber product plants.

The USW said in a press release that the pacts, ratified Oct. 3, expire July 27, 2013.

A master agreement covers plants in Akron; Des Moines, Iowa; Russellville, Arkansas; and, LaVergne, Tennessee, according to the union, along with a separate agreement for the Bridgestone plant in Warren County, Tennessee.

Noting that "despite negotiating in these difficult economic times," the USW said it was able to protect wages and benefits, "quality healthcare" was preserved for both active and retired USW members, and coverage was improved for new hires, who also will continue to participate in a defined benefit retirement plan.

In August the USW concluded negotiations and ratified contracts covering 2,500 members at Michelin North America Inc.´s BFGoodrich tyre plants in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and last month ratified new agreements for more than 10,000 union members at seven Goodyear plants.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Press release from USW