Goodyear, Bridgestone say USW Talks Unaffected by Michelin Deal

In a press statement, Michelin North America reports that the three-year tentative agreement made with the United Steelworkers "meets the terms the company believes are necessary to retain its competitive posture and to help improve the viability of the BFGoodrich tyre manufacturing plants going forward.'' The contract, which covers Michelin owned BFGoodrich plants in Alabama and Indiana, was signed on August 15, and will now go before the USW executive boards at the two locations in question.

Meanwhile, USW negotiations with Goodyear and Bridgestone continue. ”We don’t anticipate that it (the Michelin contract) will have an effect on our negotiations,” said Goodyear spokesman Ed Markey. This opinion was seconded by a USW spokesman, who said the tentative agreement struck with Michelin “‘will have minimal impact” upon the negotiations with Goodyear, which have been extended until August 29. A USW representative involved in talks with Goodyear reports that “steady progress” is being made, and believes an agreement should be made by this date.

A Bridgestone representative agreed that the tentative Michelin contract will not have an impact on other ongoing talks. ”It has no real bearing on our discussions,” said spokesman Dan MacDonald. ”Each company is really unique.” What makes sense for Michelin and the USW might not make sense at other companies, he added.

Negotiations with the three tyre manufacturers began in June, with the current contracts originally set to expire in mid-July.