Editor's note: Because of flawed information provided by a union spokesman, a Tuesday article about upcoming negotiations between Yokohama Tire in Salem and United Steelworkers Local 1023 included two errors. On Wednesday, another union official clarified that hourly wages at the plant range from about $14 to about $25. In addition, during previous contract negotiations the union agreed to sacrifice part of a cost of living adjustment to help offset company costs for providing health care coverage, he said.
Video by Duncan Adams, produced by Seth M. Gitner
Negotiators for a union local at Yokohama Tire’s Salem plant and the company begin contract talks next week for a new three-year labor agreement.
The current contract expires April 15.
Dale Bare, 46, is a spokesman for United Steelworkers of America Local 1023.
During a Tuesday interview, Bare said he believes the union is not in a combative mood on the eve of negotiations.
"Our main objective is to keep the peace with the company and to maintain our current benefits," he said. "We are not going in saying we want more money."
He anticipates, though, that union and company officials might differ on employee contributions to health care coverage, on health benefits for retirees, job security and other issues. Right now, union members pay nothing for their health care coverage, said Bare, an arrangement that’s becoming less common as employers nationwide battle rising health care costs.
Hourly union wages at Yokohama’s Salem plant range from about $22 to about $27, he said.
He said he and many other union members appreciate the high-wage manufacturing jobs and good benefits they have at Yokohama. The company also manufactures tires in China, the Philippines and Vietnam, he said.
"We’re competing with people who will work for food," said Bare. "Our main concern is keeping people working here in Salem."
He said the local has more than 650 members at the Salem plant, which manufactures tires for light trucks and passenger tires. For 28 years, Bare, a Troutville native, has built tires in Salem — first for Mohawk and later for Japan-based Yokohama.
Yokohama Tire Corp., headquartered in Fullerton, Calif., is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
Theresa Palang, public relations manager for Yokohama Tire, said it is "company policy to not comment on matters related to collective bargaining."
Story by Duncan Adams
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