Vol. 76/No. 4      January 30, 2012

TEXARKANA, Ark., Jan. 16—Four days ahead of the expiration of their union contract, most workers entering and leaving the Cooper Tire factory here during the 7:00 a.m. shift change were wearing United Steelworkers T-shirts and hats.

The plant, with 1,500 workers, is one of the largest employers in the area.

“We’ve given up too much already,” said electrician Dale Holley. Like many others the Militant spoke to, he expects the company to push a concession contract similar to the one bosses are trying to impose on workers at Cooper’s plant in Findlay, Ohio.

Shortly after the shift change, a few hundred members of Local 752L packed the union hall to hear a report on the contract negotiations.

“We’ll do what it takes to stand up and fight back,” said utility worker Mark Alexander as he left the hall after the meeting ended.

— MIKE FITZSIMMONS
AND CINDY JAQUITH