News From USW: USW Designates BFGoodrich as ''Target'' for Tire and Rubber Master Contract Negotiations; Steelworkers Look to Establish Template in an Agreement That Will Serve as a Pattern for Other Contracts

CINCINNATI--June 30, 2006--News From USW: The United Steelworkers (USW) announced today that BFGoodrich/Michelin has been selected as the "target company" for 2006 master contract negotiations in the rubber and tire industry. Representatives from USW bargaining committees engaged in contract talks with Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS), Goodyear and BFGoodrich/Michelin voted today in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"Significant in the selection of BFGoodrich is the fact that we believe that we can set an industry pattern that looks after our retirees, enhances job security and protects the standard of living for our active and retired members," said USW executive vice president Ron Hoover.

The purpose of pattern agreements is to provide a level playing field for employers when it comes to the cost of labor. This compels employers to compete on the basis of product and service quality, innovation, up-to-date technology and management.

Negotiations began earlier this month. The BFGoodrich/Michelin talks cover 4,000 members in three facilities and have been taking place in Knoxville, Tenn. The contract expiration date for the current three-year pact is July 22, 2006. The USW Goodyear/Kelly-Springfield/Dunlop negotiations cover 4,000 members at 12 plants in the U.S. Another 3,000 members are involved in talks in Canada. Talks are taking place in Cincinnati. The negotiations with Bridgestone-Firestone are being held in St. Louis and cover 6,000 workers in eight U.S. plants. The expiration date is also July 22.

The USW represents some 70,000 members in the tire, rubber and plastics industry and 850,000 overall in the U.S. and Canada.