Union representatives at United Steelworkers (USW) said today (19 November) 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 standardise our contracts and restructure work in our plants.”
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Robinson said the standardisation has the potential to equalise 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.
“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 they also have much to accomplish. As a result, the parties reached an agreement to extend the current contracts 17 December, 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 17 December, we expect to continue to produce the tires for which the UT-3 union members are justifiably known.”
