We are extremely pleased to announce that Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. and the United Steelworkers of America have reached tentative agreements on three contracts covering 8,000 workers at nine facilities in eight states.
We are working past the deadline and through the night to reach new agreements with the USWA. We are encouraged by the substantial progress in negotiations but there are some remaining issues and the parties are continuing to work diligently to resolve these as soon as possible.
The tone is constructive. We remain hopeful that the progress will lead us to reach agreements acceptable to all parties.