With its Findlay, Ohio, tire plant already running at less than 100% capacity, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. faces yet another labor issue when its contract with the USW for its plant in Arkansas expires at midnight tonight.
While neither side has indicated any specific actions that may happen with the contract expiration, there is also no indication how close the two sides are to a new deal.
Representatives of USW Local 752, which represents some 1,500 workers at the plant, said the union has been “working around the clock” to get a new contract worked out, and are confident that they will reach a new deal by tonight’s deadline.
Cooper, which locked out 1,050 workers at its Findlay plant after contract talks stalled there, has made no comment about the Texarkana negotiations. The Findlay plant is being staffed by temporary workers.