BFNAT Reaches Tentative Agreements With Union

(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) and its Bridgestone/Firestone Diversified Products division announced that tentative agreements have been reached with the United Steelworkers (USW).

The tyremaker said that a tentative agreement has been signed for the master contract with the USW, which covers employees at tyre plants in Akron, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; LaVergne, Tenn., as well as the Firestone tube plant in Russellville, Ark., and the Firestone air spring plant in Noblesville, Ind.

“Tentative agreements have also been reached for the maintenance group located in the LaVergne, Tenn., tyre plant and for the tyre plant in Bloomington, Ill.,” stated BFNAT.

Talks regarding the tyre plant in Warren County, Tennessee have reportedly resulted in a “framework for a new agreement,” which will be presented to the Warren County membership for ratification, according to BFNAT.

“It has been our goal throughout this process to achieve contracts that are in the best interests of both parties and allow our companies to participate successfully in a fiercely competitive global marketplace,” said the company in a release. “We believe these agreements are reflective of that goal. We now look forward to the union membership’s ratification vote, a process which will likely take several days.”