FINDLAY, OH (THE COURIER) - Negotiators for Cooper Tire and locked-out workers in Findlay are scheduled to meet today, union members have been told.
The talks are scheduled at 9 a.m. today, members of United Steelworkers Local 207L have been told.
More than 1,000 workers have been locked out for nearly three months, after they rejected a proposed company contract in late November.
The workers are planning a big demonstration next week in front of the factory.
During the lockout, Cooper has successfully negotiated a new contract with 1,500 unionized workers at its tire plant in Texarkana, Ark.
The company also says it has new labor agreements with two other union locals.
Fleet truck drivers in Findlay, represented by Teamsters Local 20, have ratified a new three-year contract with Cooper, the company said Monday.
The union local approved the contract on Saturday, Cooper said. The number of drivers involved was not disclosed.
Late last week, a new four-year labor agreement covering United Steelworkers Local 556L members at the company's Clarksdale, Miss., plant was "overwhelmingly approved" by the union, Cooper said.
The plant makes inner tubes and curing bladders. The number of unionized workers at the plant was not disclosed.
"We are pleased that a new contract was reached that is acceptable to both the company and the union members," Michael Allen, president of Local 556L, said in a written statement issued by Cooper. "This agreement was negotiated on time and demonstrates that labor and management can work together in Clarksdale on a deal that benefits workers and the company."
Clarksdale Plant Manager Fred Doster said the union's leadership "did a great job of representing its membership, and we commend the union for their willingness to work together to address issues that are important to the employees, this facility, the company, and the community of Clarksdale."
Meanwhile, the locked-out workers in Findlay are planning a large demonstration next week along Lima Avenue in front of the plant.
The demonstration, similar to one held on Dec. 2, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday.
A union spokesman said community members are being encouraged to attend, and union members want to thank them for their support and encouragement during the lockout.
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