Titan, USW Still Working on Contract Details

(Akron/Tire Review) Officials of United Steelworkers Local 890, representing Continental Tire North America’s Bryan, Ohio, OTR tyre plant, say they are close to finalizing agreements that will clear the way for Titan International to buy the facility. As per its contract with the union, before CTNA can sell the plant the USW must settle on a new master contract with the buyer – in this case Titan – presuming the new deal will be at least equal to its current contract.

According to the union, the two sides held extensive meetings on 12-13 July to resolve some pension issues. Once the pension issues are settled and proposed contract language completed, the USW said it will begin “effects meetings” with CTNA to “settle up” remaining issues. The Local expected that meeting with CTNA to take place July 20.

After that, the union plans to bring the contract package to members for a vote.

According to Local 890 officials, the biggest hang-up to completing the new contract was establishing a new pension program and system. In late June, the Local was told that the Steelworkers Pension Trust would not accept pension liability from CTNA.

“This is one of the unexpected problems we are currently faced with. Although there are other options available, it will take sometime to find and evaluate the correct one for us,” the Local said in a communication to members.

Neither side has estimated a date by which the sale would be completed.