Unions to 'black flag' Firestone at Indy 500

[Charlotte Kates <ckates@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

**Unions to 'black flag' Firestone at Indy 500**

(Reprinted from the May 18, 1996 issue of the People's
Weekly World. May be reprinted or reposted with PWW credit.
For subscription information see below)

Special to the World

When the green flag drops for the 80th running of the
Indianapolis 500 on May 26 most of the top drivers in the
sport will be boycotting the race - they'll be in Brooklyn,
Mich., instead, competing in a 500-miler sponsored by Indy
Car, formerly known as CART.

Thousands of members of the United Steelworkers of America
(USWA) will be at both races to urge a different kind of
boycott as they ask racing fans to drop a "black flag" on
Bridgestone-Firestone (BF), the Japanese-owned manufacturer
which supplies racing tires to drivers on both sides of the
controversy. The company is pumping $20 million into a major
consumer marketing effort built around its recent re-entry
into Indy car racing after an absence of 20 years. At one
time cars using Firestone tires dominated the Indy 500.

The "black flag" - which will be the centerpiece of a union-
sponsored advertising and direct action campaign designed to
"draft," or dog, BF throughout the Indy car racing season -
is the traditional symbol of disqualification in auto
racing.

The Bridgestone-Firestone boycott was begun last year after
the company refused a unilateral return-to-work offer by
4,000 striking rubber workers at five U.S. BF plants
following a year-long unfair labor practice strike. Today,
more than 700 of the strikers still have not been returned
to their jobs and the National Labor Relations Board is
seeking tens of millions of dollars in back pay on behalf of
the workers and their families.

The USWA is asking consumers to refuse to buy BF products
(tires, golfing products, sporting goods) or services, such
as auto repairs at MasterCare centers around the country,
until all workers are returned to work with back wages and a
fair contract is negotiated.
##30##
************************************************************
***       *  Read the Peoples Weekly World  *     *********
   ****   *  Sub info: pww@xxxxxxxxxxx      *  ****    *
       ****  235 W. 23rd St. NYC 10011      ***      *   **
   ****   *  $20/yr - $1-2 mos trial sub    *  ****    *
***       *                                 *     *********
************************************************************
Tired of the same old system: Join the Communist Party, USA
      Info: CPUSA@xxxxxxxxxx; or (212) 989-4994; or
           http://www.hartford-hwp.com/cp-usa
************************************************************



   Celebrate 16 years of the People's War! Victory to the Peruvian People!
_____________________________________________________________________________
    Charlotte L. Kates     ckates@xxxxxxxxxxxx        Collingswood, NJ

     Fight for peace, justice, democracy, equality and socialism!
   Join the Communist Party, USA! http://www.hartford-hwp.com/cp-usa
           235 West 23rd Street    New York, NY 10011
    People and Nature before Profits! Jobs not Jails! Defeat Racism!
                  End Sexism and Homophobia!
                Defeat the Contract on America!
   _________________________________________________________________
         ++++ stop the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal ++++
     ++++ if you agree copy these 3 sentences in your own sig ++++
   ++++ more info:http://www.xs4all.nl/~tank/spg-l/sigaction.htm++++
__________________________________________________________________
       Shorten the Work Week! Six-hour day with no cut in Pay!

  Cuba si, Bloqueo no! Support the Pastors and their Fast for Life! Free
medical aid and computers for the Cuban people! Call to protest the
                seizure of this humanitarian aid:

        Robert Rubin Secretary of the Treasury
        Phone:  202-622-5300, fax: 202-622-0073

        or e-mail President Clinton at:  president@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
        
        Visit the Pastors at: http://www.igc.apc.org/cubasoli/
  ______________________________________________________________________

        Read the voice of the people--the People's Weekly World!
        235 W.23rd Street               New York, NY 10011
    Trial subscriptions only $1. The voice of the U.S. working class!
------------------------------------------------------------------------



     --- from list marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ---