Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Titan to offer free COVID-19 vaccines at Iowa facility
      Bridgestone hosts vaccination events for plant employees
      Cioffi: Will remote working be the new normal?
      Bridgestone Iowa plant navigates pandemic, demand
    • Conti adding dynamic driving simulator at German R&D center
      Yokohama gains OE fitments on BMW, Mercedes-AMG sport utilities
      SEMA picks site in Michigan for 2nd SEMA Garage
      Online retailer CARiD.com looks to triple size of tire/wheel installer network
    • Federal approved as 5th Formula Drift tire supplier
      Falken, Ohtsu tire prices rising May 1
      Telle Tire expands footprint with JBC Tire acquisition
      Video: Michelin looks to diversify for additional growth opportunities
    • Mitchell 1 enhances ADAS info access in TruckSeries software
      Apollo isn't planning U.S. plant — yet
      Tire Business livestream to focus on commercial tire industry
      Apollo lands: Tire maker brings commercial portfolio to N.A.
    • New York chipping in $3M+ toward Sumitomo factory expansion
      SBA extends and expands COVID-19 loan program
      Stimulus spending should help tire industry
      U.S. agro-science firm gets $1M grant to research sunflower latex
    • Nexen touting manufacturing quality milestone
      Japanese R&D cooperative claims breakthrough in sustainable butadiene sourcing
      Guizhou Tyre starts production at Vietnam plant
      Video: Michelin looks to diversify for additional growth opportunities
    • Federal approved as 5th Formula Drift tire supplier
      Maxxis offers discount to ChampCar competitors
      Michelin strikes supply deals with new Canadian racing series
      Bias-ply tires return to NASCAR Cup Series for Bristol dirt race
    • Bosch adds 22 aftermarket parts in Q1
      Snap-On introduces TreadReader handheld tire scanner
      Vogue Tyre introduces ‘biggest, boldest' red stripe tire
      Cooper adds Rugged Trek all-terrain to Discoverer LT/SUV tire line
    • Apollo isn't planning U.S. plant — yet
      Telle Tire expands footprint with JBC Tire acquisition
      Tire prices rising: Is it a sign of more to come?
      Bauer Built promotes pair to VP positions
    • Bosch adds 22 aftermarket parts in Q1
      Marinucci: Detailed instructions will save time
      Bartec introduces TPMS software updates
      Snap-On introduces TreadReader handheld tire scanner
    • SEMA picks site in Michigan for 2nd SEMA Garage
      SEMA touts expanded Las Vegas Convention Center ahead of 2021 expo
      TIA seeking nominations for Tire Industry Hall of Fame
      SEMA survey shows resilient auto aftermarket in 2020
    • SBA extends and expands COVID-19 loan program
      Stimulus spending should help tire industry
      Giti disputes report blasting tire maker for accepting PPP funds
      SEMA survey shows resilient auto aftermarket in 2020
    • Nexen touting manufacturing quality milestone
      Apollo isn't planning U.S. plant — yet
      Apollo lands: Tire maker brings commercial portfolio to N.A.
      Tire prices rising: Is it a sign of more to come?
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
      Sponsored By AppointmentPlus
      Three Important Lessons Learned for the Tire Business During a Pandemic
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      An introduction to wheel balancing
      Wheel weights: Balancing form with function
      Choosing the right balancing equipment
    • Video: Demounting
      An introduction to demounting, mounting and inflation
      Staying safe when demounting and mounting tires
      Demounting Equipment
    • Video: Safety
      Introduction: Creating a culture of safety
      Protecting your people with proper hygiene
      Making friends with OSHA
    • Video: Tire Repair
      An introduction to tire repair
      How to properly patch a puncture
      Tire repair: Shining a light on visual inspections
    • Video: TPMS Service
      An introduction to TPMS service
      The importance of proper relearn procedures
      Decoding sensor data for TPMS diagnosis
    • Video: Training
      Intro: Finding and training technicians
      Shop Floor: Scholarships
      Advantages of apprentice program partnerships
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      An introduction to lifts and lift safety
      Recommendations for using a jack
      Jack stands for commercial tire service
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      Introduction to proper wheel installation
      Torque check and recheck recommendations
      Using torque sticks to speed service times
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Awards
    • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
April 20, 2004 02:00 AM

USWA begins corporate campaign against BFS

Brad Dawson, Crain News Service
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    PITTSBURGH (April 20, 2004) — The United Steelworkers of America (USWA) is taking public its mission to get Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) back to the bargaining table and preserve manufacturing jobs with the company.

    The union has begun an advertising and leaflet campaign aimed at BFS customers and community people, urging them to pressure the company to negotiate a new labor contract. Messages in ads and handbills say the Nashville, Tenn.-based tire maker refuses to provide for job security and plant investment in its contract proposals, and this stance would “wipe out our jobs, hurt our families and cause pain throughout our communities.”

    The USWA started running radio spots the week of April 12 in several locations, including Nashville, the headquarters of Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc.; Indianapolis; Des Moines, Iowa; Oklahoma City; Bloomington, Ill.; and Akron, according to a spokesman for the Pittsburgh-based union. Full-page newspaper ads have run or will run in the future, he said.

    Union members also are passing out leaflets at auto races and car shows, including the New York Auto Show, which began Easter weekend, the spokesman said.

    “We're talking about the impact of the loss of manufacturing jobs, the impact on families and communities,” he said. “It's not just our jobs, but the American way of life. Fewer jobs mean less of a tax base and fewer quality paychecks being spent in those communities.”

    Company and union officials haven't sat at the bargaining table since mid-November, when the USWA broke off talks following the company's last proposal. BFS's offer didn't follow many elements of the Goodyear/USWA agreement reached in September, a pact the union envisioned as the tire industry pattern.

    The three-year Goodyear contract addressed job security and North American plant investment issues. The BFS proposal ignored those and several other items from the pattern, including restrictions on imports, guaranteed production ticket and employment levels, neutrality recognition and subcontracting restrictions, the USWA said.

    The union called the concessionary offer an “outrage” and an “insult” to its members.

    BFS has disputed claims it doesn't care about U.S. manufacturing. The tire maker has invested more than $257 million since 1999 at its five largest U.S. tire plants organized by the USWA, a company spokesman said. A pending bill which may provide tax relief to existing businesses in the state of Oklahoma also may pave the way to new investments at the firm's Oklahoma City plant, he said.

    The firm views the industry pattern set by the Goodyear pact as a starting point for negotiations rather than an end-all. And BFS understands the importance of the manufacturing jobs—some which pay more than $30 per hour including wage and benefits—to the communities in which they're based, the spokesman said. “We want to do everything we can to make products for the U.S. in the U.S.,” he said.

    Both sides have expressed a desire to restart negotiations. But the USWA spokesman reiterated that the offer from last fall doesn't serve as a basis to begin discussions. “I don't see us coming back with that proposal on the table,” he said.

    BFS isn't ruling out any possibilities, but believes the ball is in the union's court in that regard. “It never makes sense to counter your own counteroffer,” the company spokesman said. “We'd be negotiating with ourselves. If the union leaders don't like what we've presented, they can counter it. Right now it's a stalemate.”

    April 23 will mark one year since the BFS and the USWA extended their three-year master contract. The extension can be terminated with five days' written notice.

    The two sides began contract talks in the spring of 2003, then put them on hold while the union focused on the Goodyear negotiations. The master agreement affects about 6,000 BFS employees at eight U.S. tire and rubber facilities.

    The USWA also must negotiate a new master deal with Michelin North America Inc., which employs about 4,000 union workers at three U.S. Uniroyal Goodrich unit plants.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • Awards
      • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award