The United Steelworkers (USW) union, already in the midst of contract negotiations to end a strike that began in October at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., have filed a class action lawsuit against Continental Tire North America (CTNA) to head off the company’s plan to change its medical benefits package for retired employees.
Filed December 13, 2006 in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Western Division. The lawsuit alleges that CTNA plans to shift a large part of lifetime medical coverage plans from the company to retirees starting in 2007.
The union’s lawsuit seeks to maintain current retiree health care benefits provided under current agreements and CTNA’s Group Insurance Plan, which the union said cannot be unilaterally modified or terminated by the company.
