Firestone Strike Deadline Passes

Negotiators in the Bridgestone/Firestone contract talks agreed to work past a strike deadline, averting a walkout that had been threatened at nine tire plants. Company officials reported “substantial progress” in negotiations, with some remaining issues still to be worked out. Negotiators for the United Steelworkers of America called local union officials to advise members that they should remain on the job. Bridgestone/Firestone is already dealing with public relations and production pressures stemming from its recall of millions of Firestone tires after a rash of fatal accidents. It recently increased production to help meet the demand created by the Aug. 9 recall.