27 May 2005
Joliette, Quebec--Union workers at Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. have ratified a new six-year agreement with the company, three months before the previous agreement was to expire.
More than 80 percent of the voting members of Syndicat des Travailleurs de Bridgestone/Firestone de Joliette approved the pact May 23. The union is part of the Confederation des Syndicats Nationaux, a Quebec-based labour organization.
BFS Canada said in a release the results of the negotiation were beneficial to both sides and will favourably impact the Joliette region--located less than 50 miles north of Montreal--by more than $10 million.
"We worked together to establish terms that will ensure greater flexibility for our operations," said Isaac Motohashi, general manager of the Joliette plant. "This flexibility is essential first to our growth, and consequently to maintain jobs."
BFS Canada manufactures radial passenger and light truck tyres in Joliette, with a capacity of about 12 500 units per day. The facility employs more than 1300.
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