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When It Rains...USWA Issues Strike Notice at Bridgestone/Firestone

18 August 2000

    ST. LOUIS - The United Steelworkers of America has served notice to 
Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. that contract extension agreements covering nine 
facilities in the U.S. will terminate in 14 days.  More than 8,000 workers are 
covered by these agreements at the following locations:

    Local 7 (Akron, Ohio);
    Local 787 (Bloomington, Illinois);
    Local 713 (Decatur, Illinois);
    Local 310 (Des Moines, Iowa);
    Local 1055 (LaVergne, Tennessee);
    Local 138 (Noblesville, Indiana);
    Local 998 (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma);
    Local 884 (Russellville, Arkansas); and,
    Local 1155 (Warren County, Tennessee).

    Negotiations have been ongoing since March.  After much delay, the company
finally presented a proposal on Tuesday, which fell far short of meeting the
critical issues identified by the membership.  The union responded yesterday.

    "It's time to bring these negotiations to a conclusion," stated John
Sellers, chairman of the USWA Bargaining Council.  "We expect intensive
bargaining to continue.  If an agreement is not reached during this time, a
strike at every location is most probable."

    The USWA is seeking a comprehensive agreement that improves working
conditions, wages and pensions for its members working at all of these
Bridgestone/Firestone facilities.

    Overall, the USWA represents more than 75,000 workers in the North America
rubber and tire industry.