Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (BATO) and the United Steel Workers (USW) reached a settlement regarding the labor contracts at BATO's tire and tube plants represented by the USW in Akron, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa, LaVergne, Tenn., and Russellville, Ark.
Settlements have also been reached with union members at the BATO Warren County, Tenn. and Bloomington, Ill. plants which were both subject to separate agreements.
The terms of the ratified contracts will remain in effect through July 29, 2017.
"It has been our goal to achieve contracts that are in the best interest of the approximately 3,500 hourly employees at the company's unionized tire and tube plants," the company said in a statement.
"We are gratified that we could reach an agreement that was not only in the best interest of our workers, but one which also allows our company to remain competitive in the global marketplace. We look forward to continuing the strong relationship we have with our employees and union leaders."
"This contract represents a significant step forward," says USW International Secretary-Treasurer Stan Johnson, who oversaw the talks for the union.
"It provided for wage and pension improvements while protecting health care coverage. Substantial gains were also made for those hired in recent years, which was another goal set by the bargaining committees."
According to the 2013 Modern Tire Dealer Facts Issue, the Des Moines, La Vergne, Warren County and Bloomington plants combined produce 22,210 passenger, light truck, truck and other tires daily.
