News from USW: Steelworkers Will Explore Every Available Option to Maintain Oklahoma City Production; Flood of Cheap Imports Threatens to Close Bridgestone/Firestone Plant as Erosion of North American Manufacturing Continues

PITTSBURGH--April 28, 2006--News from USW: The United Steelworkers (USW) acknowledged today receiving notice from Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. of the potential closing of the company's Oklahoma City plant. It plans to meet with the company as soon as possible to begin a dialogue that investigates what actions may be taken to continue operations beyond the projected closing date.

"We intend to explore every possible option," said USW executive vice president Ron Hoover. "We recognize that the long-term demand for the Oklahoma City product line is shrinking and that the competition of imports is vicious. With the company's plan to build a new aircraft tire facility in the U.S., I expect them to consider Oklahoma City as a location and to recognize that it has an experienced workforce at Local 998."

The current contract between members of USW Local 998 and Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) prohibits plant closures. That contract expires in July. If the company proceeds with its stated plan, ramp down would begin no later than October 31, 2006 and closure would occur no earlier than December 31, 2006.

"This announcement amplifies the need of our elected officials to closely examine the trade policies that allow American industries to be destroyed by the flood of cheap imports," said Hoover. "Closures of this magnitude have a devastating impact on working American families and their communities."

The USW represents some 70,000 members employed in the North America tire, rubber and plastic industry, including more than 1,200 at the Oklahoma City plant. The BFS plant there produces low-cost tires for the replacement market.