Tentative Settlement OKd at Goodyear

Negotiators reached a tentative contract Tuesday and averted a strike by 15,000 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. workers, but there was no indication whether the settlement would affect a 3-day-old walkout at Firestone.

United Rubber Workers union President Milan Stone said the Goodyear settlement made key changes in a previous tentative agreement that was rejected May 2 by union members at Goodyear locals.

“We’re hopeful that it will be ratified,” Stone said. “I’m sure they were looking for more. I’m convinced that there isn’t any more, and they should ratify this.”

The strike at Firestone started Sunday after the URW said Firestone failed to match an earlier agreement with Goodyear; Firestone said its offer was equal to the earlier Goodyear pact.

Firestone spokesman Bob Troyer said the company would review the specifics of the new Goodyear contract, and Stone said he hoped that it would end the stalemate with Firestone.

Stone said the new agreement includes an immediate 25 cents per hour wage increase in lieu of cost-of-living increases. The amended contract also restores a requirement that all locals approve any wage concessions accepted by any single local, Stone said.

The earlier agreement did not include a pay raise, concentrating instead on cost-of-living allowances, job security and pension and health benefits.