Steelworkers and Bridgestone/Firestone Reach Tentative Agreements

PITTSBURGH--June 9, 2005--The United Steelworkers (USW) announced today that tentative agreements have been reached in three contract negotiations covering 6,000 workers at eight U.S. plants. The master contract covers members at Local 7 in Akron, Ohio; Local 138 in Noblesville, Indiana; Local 310 in Des Moines, Iowa; Local 884 in Rusellville, Arkansas; Local 998 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Local 1055 in La Vergne, Tennessee. A tentative agreement was also reached with Local 787 of Bloomington, Illinois. A similar offer has been tendered to members of Local 1155 in Warren County, Tennessee. A tentative agreement was also reached with the Local 1055 maintenance workers in LaVergne, Tennessee, who are covered by a separate contract.

Informational meetings will soon be held at all locations. Details of the tentative agreements will not be released to the media prior to the members having the opportunity to examine and discuss the proposed contracts at the local meetings.

The USW also negotiated master contracts with Goodyear, BFGoodrich/Michelin and Continental Tire. The USW represents 70,000 members employed in the tire and rubber industry and more than 850,000 overall in the U.S. and Canada.