Union Sets Vote on Titan Contract Offer

(Akron/Tire Review) The Freeport (Illinois) Journal-Standard reported that United Steelworkers (USW) workers at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s Freeport agricultural tyre plant will vote 21 December on a new labour agreement that could pave the way for Titan International to acquire the plant.

Union leaders said late last week that they have set 21 December as a tentative date for the vote. Titan has been negotiating with the local union and USW international since February when Titan announced its plans to buy Goodyear’s ag tyre business for $100 million, including the plant and licenses to make and sell Goodyear and Kelly-Springfield brand farm tyres.

The talks have taken quite some time, with Titan taking five extensions to complete the deal. According to the union’s current contract with Goodyear, before the tyremaker can sell off any of its plants the prospective buyer must negotiate a new master contract with the USW. If the union rejects the contract, the sale cannot proceed.

In a statement issued last Friday, the newspaper reported, union leaders urged members to withhold judgment about the contract offer until they receive the official details. “During this period we would expect that a lot of false rumours will circulate regarding the terms of the proposed contract,” the statement said. “Please wait to hear what the actual contract terms are when the explanation is presented at the special membership meeting.”