Les Schwab Tire Centers Reaffirms Commitment to Equal Opportunity in the Workplace

PRINEVILLE, Ore.--May 31, 2006--Les Schwab Tire Centers announced today that it is working diligently to resolve a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) limited in scope to two Washington state employees who have complained about employment issues.

"We disagree with the EEOC and are disappointed it has reached this stage," Jodie Hueske, the company's human resources director, said of the EEOC allegations. "We have fully cooperated with the agency to date, and, while we continue to hope this can be resolved, we will vigorously defend our position if necessary. We are committed to equal opportunity practices in all aspects of our business."

Les Schwab is one of the leading independent tire dealers in the United States with more than 7,000 employees in 400 locations throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, Nevada, Alaska and Utah.