Bridgestone Firestone Contract Extension Approved With Bloomington USW Local 787
Bloomington, Ill. (Dec. 12, 2007) – Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is pleased to announce that an overwhelming majority of teammates at its Bloomington, Ill., Off Road Tire plant have voted to approve a contract extension through 2012.
The agreement between BFNT and Local 787 of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (“USW”) covers 300 teammates at the plant, which makes large heavy-duty off road tires for construction and mining applications. Under the agreement, Bloomington teammates will receive the same wage and benefit provisions contained in a separate “master” contract between the USW and the company covering other BFNT locations and have agreed to a no-strike clause during the entire term of the extension.
“This is a very good extension for both sides,” said Ralph Burchfield, President of Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Products Group. “Our teammates have worked very hard to help us meet the rising global demand for off road tires. This gives our teammates, our customers and our communities a sense of stability that this plant will continue to produce tires with no interruption through 2012.”
Bridgestone Firestone will continue to evaluate its global sourcing needs as the market demand for off road tires increases. The Bloomington plant will play an important role in helping the company serve the needs to its customers who need world-class heavy duty tires. The company will continue to invest in its key facilities where there is stability, high productivity and an opportunity to make a reasonable return on its investment. This contract extension opens the door to new investment in the plant.
“We are pleased that the teammates have voted for this contract extension,” said Plant Manager Greg Halford. “It is an indication of great things to come down the road. We are looking forward to working together to ensure that we remain successful in a fiercely competitive global marketplace.”
Bridgestone Firestone operates under four separate union contracts. The Master Contract covers tire production facilities in Akron, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; LaVergne, Tenn.; as well as union teammates at the Firestone tube plant in Russellville, Ark., and the Firestone air spring plant in Noblesville, Ind. The master contract expires in July of 2009. The company also has separate union contracts with plant teammates in Warren County, Tenn.; maintenance teammates in LaVergne, Tenn.; and the Bloomington, Ill. contract, which is the subject of this extension agreement.
About Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC:
The Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products (BFDP), traces its origins back to 1926 when The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company first established a natural rubber production facility in Liberia, West Africa. The company operates a 118,000-acre rubber growing and processing facility, employing approximately 6,000 teammates who harvest and process natural rubber and latex. After processing, the natural rubber (dry rubber and liquid latex) is shipped to the United States. The dry rubber is sold to Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), for the manufacture of tires. The latex is sold to third party North American manufacturers of dipped goods, adhesives and carpet backing. Firestone is a leading supplier of natural latex concentrate in North America.
The Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products (BFDP), traces its origins back to 1926 when The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company first established a natural rubber production facility in Liberia, West Africa. The company operates a 118,000-acre rubber growing and processing facility, employing approximately 6,000 teammates who harvest and process natural rubber and latex. After processing, the natural rubber (dry rubber and liquid latex) is shipped to the United States. The dry rubber is sold to Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), for the manufacture of tires. The latex is sold to third party North American manufacturers of dipped goods, adhesives and carpet backing. Firestone is a leading supplier of natural latex concentrate in North America.
About Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Tire Company:
Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Tire Company (BFOR), a unit of the Off Road Products Group (ORPD) and a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, manufactures, markets and sells off the road (OTR) tires used in heavy duty applications for construction, mining, aggregates and industrial operations. Today, BFOR is a significant supplier to most original equipment manufacturers as well as most major global mining and construction companies, supplying nearly 40 percent of the domestic replacement and original equipment markets. BFOR offers the industry’s most comprehensive selection of radial and bias OTR products; a dedicated sales and engineering staff; sales and distribution through 1,000 dealers as well as the company’s commercial outlets; and the proprietary software, TreadStat Tire and Rim Management System.
Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Tire Company (BFOR), a unit of the Off Road Products Group (ORPD) and a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, manufactures, markets and sells off the road (OTR) tires used in heavy duty applications for construction, mining, aggregates and industrial operations. Today, BFOR is a significant supplier to most original equipment manufacturers as well as most major global mining and construction companies, supplying nearly 40 percent of the domestic replacement and original equipment markets. BFOR offers the industry’s most comprehensive selection of radial and bias OTR products; a dedicated sales and engineering staff; sales and distribution through 1,000 dealers as well as the company’s commercial outlets; and the proprietary software, TreadStat Tire and Rim Management System.