While contract talks between the USWA and Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) progress, the union plans to increase pressure on the tyremaker to come to an agreement, reports Tire Review.

BFNAT union workers have been working without a master contract since April 2003. The two sides have been working off the previous contract on a day-to-day basis. Talks broke off in November 2003, and did not resume again until December 2004.

According to a “negotiations update” letter to members, USWA Local 1155 President Ron Vining said BFNAT had agreed to provide documentation to substantiate claims that certain BFNAT tire plants are “distressed.” Typically “distressed” means the plants have been deemed cost uncompetitive vs. the market.

“The company has agreed to provide the necessary financial information concerning the plants that they have labeled as distressed,” Vining wrote. “The financials will determine if they are truly distressed.”

USWA Local 1155 represents workers at BFNAT’s Warren County, Tenn., truck tyre plant.

Meanwhile, BFNAT USWA locals are planning another round of informational pickets at Nissan car dealerships. USWA has called for a ”National Day of Action” on 16 February, with union rallies at Nissan dealerships operating near BFNAT plants.

“We plan to inform our communities what Bridgestone/Firestone intends to do at the bargaining table and about their attack on jobs in America,” read a statement regarding the action, posted on Local 1155’s Web site.