KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (July 31, 2006) — A United Steelworkers (USW) committee made up of local union presidents representing workers at the Big Three tire makers has voted to accept the union's tentative contract agreement with Michelin North America Inc.'s BFGoodrich tire manufacturing unit as the pattern for the industry.
The nine-member committee—made up of three presidents each from within BFGoodrich, Goodyear and Bridgestone/Firestone—met July 28 to make the decision. The USW selected BFGoodrich as its bargaining target on June 30, and the two sides reached their three-year tentative agreement on June 25.
The USW represents about 3,400 workers at three BFGoodrich plants. Those locals have scheduled information meetings and ratification votes for Aug. 1-2.
Goodyear and the union have recessed talks while the BFG tentative agreement is being considered and voted upon, the USW said. The two sides will return to the bargaining table Aug. 6 in Cincinnati.
BFS and the Steelworkers recessed talks June 19.