Cooper/USWA Injunction Postponed

(Akron/Tire Review) According to a United Steelworkers of America (USWA) website, the union and Cooper Tire & Rubber have “agreed to postpone” an injunction hearing that was scheduled to be held yesterday. No further details were given.

The hearing was originally going to consider an appeal by Cooper over an injunction request it filed against the union. Some 1,700 USWA Local 752 workers have been on strike at Cooper’s Texarkana, Arkansas, passenger and light truck/SUV tyre plant since 12 March, and the company claimed that union pickets were disrupting access to and from the plant for non-union workers and suppliers. Cooper’s first injunction request was rejected by Miller County Circuit Court Judge, Jim Hudson. Cooper wanted to restrict picketing on plant grounds and adjacent property leased by the manufacturer, claiming union members were harassing and obstructing traffic.

Talks between Cooper and Local 752 broke off 14 March over differences on health care benefit costs, seniority issues and other work-related matters. No new negotiations have been held. Both sides have, however, agreed to mediation, and a federal mediator is scheduled to meet with both sides 24 March.