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What's Going into Tenneco Exhaust Systems?

15 January 2001

What's Going into Tenneco Exhaust Systems? USWA Members Make Their Case at Detroit Auto Show

    DETROIT--Jan. 12, 2001--Locked-out AK Steel employees from Mansfield, Ohio represented by United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 169 are attending the annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to distribute information about AK's business relationship with Tenneco Automotive to automobile manufacturers, industry insiders and car enthusiasts.
    Tenneco, a major supplier of automotive exhaust systems to auto manufacturers worldwide, continues to buy steel from AK despite a 16-month labor dispute at the company's Mansfield plant. AK locked-out 620 QS-9000 certified union workers on September 1, 1999, and has continued to operate the plant with largely inexperienced replacement workers.
    Tenneco itself has stated that it has gone out of its way to ensure the steel it receives from AK meets quality standards. On November 15, 2000, Tenneco Senior Vice President Tim Jackson explained to industry analysts the approach Tenneco has taken regarding AK Steel.
    According to Jackson, Tenneco safeguarded against late AK deliveries by buying steel ahead. In addition, Tenneco has increased the frequency of its quality checks and has been relying more heavily on foreign steel.
    USWA members from Mansfield will be at the auto show throughout the weekend distributing literature, and will join with Detroit area labor activists at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 12, for a demonstration outside Cobo Hall.