USW members approve contract extension at BFS plant

Bloomington Illinois -- Union members at the Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) off-the-road (OTR) tyre plant in Bloomington have ratified a contract extension through 2012, the tyre maker said.

The pact covers 300 employees at the plant, which makes large heavy-duty off-road tyres for construction and mining applications.

With the agreement, workers will receive the same wage and benefit provisions contained in a separate master contract between the United Steelworkers (USW) and BFS covering other plants that expires in July 2009. The members of USW Local 787 agreed to a no-strike clause during the entire term of the extension, BFS said.

“This is a very good extension for both sides,” said Ralph Burchfield, president of Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Products Group. “Our teammates have worked very hard to help us meet the rising global demand for off-road tyres. This gives our teammates, our customers and our communities a sense of stability that this plant will continue to produce tyres with no interruption through 2012.”

BFS said it will continue to “evaluate its global sourcing needs,” though the contract extension paves the way for new investment in Bloomington.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)