Rosler Group, USW disagree whether deal reached on Bryan OTR plant

Bryan, Ohio --The United Steelworkers and Dortmund, Germany-based Rosler Group are airing contradictory views on whether or not they have a contract agreement that will open the way for Rosler to purchase Continental Tire North America Inc.'s Bryan, Ohio, OTR plant.

Paul Rosler Jr., managing director and CEO of the Rosler Group, had said that the German off-the-road tyre retreader signed a deal on June 16 with Ron Hoover, a contract coordinator for the USW. In that agreement, Rosler said the company agreed to similar terms the USW and Conti have in their current labour contract.

However, the USW called the deal tentative, saying it had only reached a memorandum of understanding and that Local 890L in Bryan rejected it on June 20, according to John Bowling, chair of the local and a lead negotiator.

USW headquarters in Pittsburgh issued a statement June 21 saying that Rosler Group "will not purchase" the Bryan facility because it failed to reach a new contract with the union.

The company's new US unit--Rodos Giants LLC--then issued a statement saying it was "committed to completing the acquisition."

From Rubber & Plastics News

Press release from USW