Union seeking to bound into Titan negotiations

Regional newspaper the Journal Standard reports that the union representing workers at Titan Tire Corporation’s Freeport factory in the US has held “solidarity rallies” with a view towards discussing a renegotiated contract with the tyre maker. In an article published 23 August, the paper quoted the United Steelworkers union local chapter president Dale Sandell as saying “we have been under an imposed contract for about two years now. We’re trying to get back to the table.”

This ‘imposed’ contract has been in force since workers at the Freeport plant rejected an offer made by Titan Tire in December 2010 following a lockout. “Our contract ended at approximately the end of 2010,” Sandell confirmed. “They claimed an impasse. We came back but were working under what they said was their best, final offer.” Now the union wants to renegotiate, and is rallying in support of such a move on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

“We had our signs and a blow horn,” said Sandell following the first rally on 22 August. “A guy dressed as a kangaroo was there too.” The kangaroo outfit was not worn in admiration of the famed Australian marsupial, nor was it linked to Titan’s recent acquisition of Planet Corporation Group. No, explains the Journal Standard; the costume was a reference to Titan International chairman and CEO Maurice Taylor calling the judicial process of the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) a “Kangaroo court.” The United Steelworkers has attempted to re-instate the workers old contract with back pay through the NLRB; according to Sandell the NLRB ruled in favour of the union, but this ruling is now being challenged by Titan Tire.

The current two-year contract the workers are operating under is due to expire on 15 November 2012.