Company, Union to Continue Negotiating
PITTSBURGH - The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union has extended its contracts with Titan Tire at three facilities while negotiations for a new contract proceed.
“We face a difficult challenge in these negotiations,” said USW District 7 Director Jim Robinson, who chairs the union’s Titan Tire bargaining committee. “The company has proposed an aggressive agenda to standardize our contracts and restructure work in our plants.”
Robinson said that the standardization has the potential to equalize working conditions at all three locations and help prevent any potential pitting of one location against another, creating more leverage for the union in future negotiations.
He said that if done properly, restructuring work in the tire plants increases productivity – the foundation of profitability – which in turn supports the standard of living USW members expect.
“Major changes take time and attention to negotiate,” Robinson said, “and we are determined to take that time and give that attention.”
The union said both sides have made progress in the current negotiations but that they also have much left to accomplish. As a result, the parties reached an agreement to extend the current contracts through December 17, so that negotiations may continue.
“We are optimistic that we can reach an agreement, and intend to work hard to do so,” Robinson said. “And between now and December 17, we expect to continue to produce the quality tires for which the UT-3 union members are justifiably known.”
For more information, contact: Tony Montana (USW) – (412) 562-2592
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