FINDLAY, OH (WTOL) – The last time Cooper Tire management sat down with union leaders since their heavily publicized lockout was December 15th. On Monday, over a month later, the two sides met again.
Union workers continue to line Lima Ave. in Findlay, waiting to be able to once again make the tires that provided their income.
"Well at least they are talking, That's the main thing. We're just asking for something fair. That's why we are out here." said Brian Fetro, a locked-out Cooper worker of 5 years with a wife and 4 children at home.
On Monday, both sides met at a Findlay motel for about 6 and a half hours. WTOL has been told that they will be resuming the meeting on Tuesday morning.
A recent settlement with a plant in Texarkana, Arkansas has given workers hope that the same deal will happen in Findlay.
"You don't want them to get back to this "we're not talking mode," right? Right, keep on talking. And as long as they keep talking we have hope of getting back to work all that much sooner." said Chris Murlin, a Cooper Tire employee.
Michelle Zeisloft, a Cooper Tire spokesperson, said that she did not have an update on the latest negotiations, but it is good that both sides are talking.
There is also no word from union leaders on any progress that may have been made, but workers hope that these talks will end the nearly three month long lockout.
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