Cooper, union talk

Friday, March 25, 2005 8:38 AM CST

By AARON BRAND
Texarkana Gazette

<snip> Discussions between Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. and United Steelworkers of America Local 752L resumed Thursday with a federal mediator in Texarkana to meet with both sides, said a union official.

Talks between the union and company broke down more than a week ago.

While talks resumed, the strike at the Texarkana plant continued with about 1,700 workers not showing up to work on the production lines. Thursday marked the 12th day of the strike. <snip>

Sticking points in contract talks have largely focused on health care premiums, retiree benefits, rules governing new hires and seniority issues involving job movement within the plant. <snip>

http://www.texarkanagazette.com/articles/2005/03/25/local_news/news/news04.txt