Cooper, union still negotiating Findlay plant agreement

Negotiations on a new labour agreement for unionised workers at Cooper Tire & Rubber’s Findlay, Ohio factory failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion before the existing agreement’s expiry on October 31, and local newspaper The Courier says talks between the tyre maker and United Steelworkers representatives are still ongoing.

President of the local USW chapter, Rod Nelson, claims Cooper rejects wage increase demands and wants to reduce pay for some jobs at the plant. He also says the company intends to eliminate the workers’ pension plan, cap holidays at existing levels and increase employee healthcare plan contributions. Nelson told The Courier he was “very disappointed” in Cooper Tire and believes the company doesn’t “seem to be willing to meet us half way.”

On the other side of the coin, Cooper Tire chairman, CEO and president Roy Armes told the newspaper the company wants what is fair to employees and good for the company. “Our objectives include reaching a fair and competitive agreement with our employees, ensuring both the short and long-term availability of great product for our customers and protecting the long-term interest of our business,” Armes said. “We don’t plan to publicly comment any further on the content or the status of the negotiations but when there is something more to report, we plan to communicate appropriately.”

Company and union representatives will meet with a federal mediator on November 7, Rod Nelson added.