AKRON-The United Rubber Workers union has requested vendor and parade permits for the Indianapolis 500 to drum up support for its eight-month labor dispute with Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. A BFS spokesman said the plans make little sense-especially considering tires produced by union workers in Akron may be used in the race-and will not win rubber workers the sympathy of either the public or the drivers.
``The Indy 500 is an international event, with many international drivers who could care less about the URW. In any case, we doubt the URW will obtain permission to issue any propaganda at the Indy 500,'' he said.