News From USWA: Steelworkers and B.F. Goodrich/Michelin Agree to Continue Negotiations Beyond Strike Deadline

PITTSBURGH--Aug. 1, 20041, 2004--News From USWA: With intensive bargaining continuing, negotiators for the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and BF Goodrich/Michelin agreed to continue negotiating past the 12:01 a.m. (CT) strike deadline.

"While far from an agreement, we've made some progress and this has encouraged both parties to continue the process at least for now," said John Sellers, USWA executive vice president.

The critical issues remain the union's demand for long-term investment commitments in its North America facilities and the company's desire to impose wage and benefit concessions on its workforce.

"This is not just a contract for today" stated Eric Betts, President of USWA Local 715, Fort Wayne, Indiana. "This agreement will determine whether tires will be produced by American and Canadian workers in the decades to come."

For the first time, both U.S. and Canadian negotiations will be conducted at the same table. The 1,100 USWA members at the Kitchener, Ontario plant have been on strike since June 1, 2004.

The 4,000 USWA members at the U.S. plants in Opelika and Tuscaloosa Alabama and Fort Wayne, Indiana have continued working under a day-to-day contract extension signed in April 2003. On Sunday, its negotiators delivered notice intending to terminate that agreement unless a settlement was reached by 12:01 A.M. (CT), August 12, 2004.

"We are prepared to continue these discussions for a short additional period as long as we believe progress is being made," Sellers said.