Yokohama & USW Reach Salem Plant Agreement

In the US, Yokohama Tire and the United Steelworkers failed by exactly seven minutes to secure a last-minute deal regarding the tyre maker’s Salem, Virginia factory. Following a series of negotiations that began in March, a tentative agreement for a new, four-year contract was reached eight minutes before the existing contract’s expiry on May 16.

The Salem plant has approximately 670 employees who are USW members, Steve Jones, president of the union’s local chapter reports. He states that union members will review the agreement and vote on the contract. Although specific details of the contract will remain confidential until a USW negotiating committee meets with the unionised employees, Jones described the contract as “fair”.