FlyAU
Explorer Addict
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- June 26, 2000
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- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2013 GLI, 2013 Escape
Yet even MORE problems for Bridgestone/Firestone. Man, when it rains, it f****ing pours!
[/quote]Bridgestone/Firestone Faces Strike Threat
Thursday, August 31, 2000
By David Koeppel, FoxNews.com
It looks like Bridgestone/Firestone's troubles are far from over.
The embattled tire giant faces a possible strike by 8,000 steelworkers who are threatening to walk out if their contract demands aren't met by Saturday.
The walkout threat comes as the company continues to replace millions of truck tires recalled earlier this month. Defective tires are reportedly responsible for 62 deaths and more than 100 injuries.
Earlier in the month, the company recalled 6.5 million Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires.
Members of the United Steelworkers of America are rallying Thursday at the tire-maker's Nashville headquarters, a possible preview of what some in the union have called an "inevitable strike." Union and Bridgestone/Firestone officials have failed to reach an agreement since negotiations began in March.
But a spokeswoman said tire company executives are still confident a deal can be reached before Saturday's midnight deadline.
"Besides our customers, these negotiations are our top priority," said spokeswoman Cynthia McCafferty. "We hope to achieve a fair and reasonable agreement. Talks have been constructive, and we're hopeful of reaching an agreement by Saturday."
McCafferty said it was premature to speculate on what effect a strike would have on the company and its customers. She declined to discuss specifics of the ongoing negotiations.
Union spokesman Wayne Ranick also wouldn't comment on the negotiations. He said that workers in cities outside of Nashville would be staging "informational campaigns" to communicate their grievances.
"There's been a lot of frustration. The union feels management has been stalling at the table," Ranick said. "But we're working around the clock, and some progress has been made. Between today and tomorrow at midnight is almost an eternity."
Ranick characterized union grievances as both economic and noneconomic, with issues ranging from pension and salaries to factory working conditions. He wouldn't say whether the company's recent setbacks have hampered negotiations.
A strike would affect nine facilities in seven states. The USWA represents more than 75,000 workers in the North America rubber and tire industry.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has received hundreds of complaints about Bridgestone/Firestone tires blowing out or losing their tread. Many of these tires are standard equipment on the Ford Explorer and other Ford vehicles.
Congress will hear testimony from Bridgestone/Firestone chief executive Masatoshi Ono in a special Commerce subcommittee hearing scheduled for Wednesday. The committee will examine the questions raised by the recall.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report[/quote]
[/quote]Bridgestone/Firestone Faces Strike Threat
Thursday, August 31, 2000
By David Koeppel, FoxNews.com
It looks like Bridgestone/Firestone's troubles are far from over.
The embattled tire giant faces a possible strike by 8,000 steelworkers who are threatening to walk out if their contract demands aren't met by Saturday.
The walkout threat comes as the company continues to replace millions of truck tires recalled earlier this month. Defective tires are reportedly responsible for 62 deaths and more than 100 injuries.
Earlier in the month, the company recalled 6.5 million Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires.
Members of the United Steelworkers of America are rallying Thursday at the tire-maker's Nashville headquarters, a possible preview of what some in the union have called an "inevitable strike." Union and Bridgestone/Firestone officials have failed to reach an agreement since negotiations began in March.
But a spokeswoman said tire company executives are still confident a deal can be reached before Saturday's midnight deadline.
"Besides our customers, these negotiations are our top priority," said spokeswoman Cynthia McCafferty. "We hope to achieve a fair and reasonable agreement. Talks have been constructive, and we're hopeful of reaching an agreement by Saturday."
McCafferty said it was premature to speculate on what effect a strike would have on the company and its customers. She declined to discuss specifics of the ongoing negotiations.
Union spokesman Wayne Ranick also wouldn't comment on the negotiations. He said that workers in cities outside of Nashville would be staging "informational campaigns" to communicate their grievances.
"There's been a lot of frustration. The union feels management has been stalling at the table," Ranick said. "But we're working around the clock, and some progress has been made. Between today and tomorrow at midnight is almost an eternity."
Ranick characterized union grievances as both economic and noneconomic, with issues ranging from pension and salaries to factory working conditions. He wouldn't say whether the company's recent setbacks have hampered negotiations.
A strike would affect nine facilities in seven states. The USWA represents more than 75,000 workers in the North America rubber and tire industry.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has received hundreds of complaints about Bridgestone/Firestone tires blowing out or losing their tread. Many of these tires are standard equipment on the Ford Explorer and other Ford vehicles.
Congress will hear testimony from Bridgestone/Firestone chief executive Masatoshi Ono in a special Commerce subcommittee hearing scheduled for Wednesday. The committee will examine the questions raised by the recall.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report[/quote]
