Union workers rallied outside the Bridgestone plant in northeast Des Moines, demanding a fair contract as their four-year agreement with the company expired. Members of United Steelworkers Local 310 emphasized the importance of cost-of-living increases, which were reinstated in their 2022 contract after a 20-year absence.
Contract Demands
Union leaders said they would not settle for a contract that excludes these increases. More than 500 workers are directly affected if an agreement is not reached. “I think we’re on a strong message to Bridgestone that we’re serious and we’re going to do what we need to do to bring prosperity to our members,” said Emily Brannon, vice president of United Steelworkers Local 310.
Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, said, “At a time of unprecedented and unparalleled greed, the labor movement in Iowa is fed up and has had it.” In a statement to KCCI, Bridgestone said, “Our focus is on reaching a mutually satisfactory agreement.”
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
