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OCR Page 1 of 53January 9, 1995
Memorandum
To: Horold Ickes; Alexis Herman
Fr: Mike Lux
Re: Labor Situation in Iowa
The Bridgestone/Firestone company, which is now Japanese
owned, has been involved in a bitter, long-running labor dispute
with the United Rubber Workers, the largest local of which is in
Des Moines, Iowa. A several month long strike has now culminated
in the company's announcement last week that it is firing all of
its' striking employees.
I have been approached by labor people in Iowa, and by
Senator Harkin's staff, to get the President to lend some
symbolic support to the workers. (My understanding is that
Harkin has also communicated to Leon Panetta about this matter).
It is my recommendation that we do send a letter to union
leaders in Des Moines. It would win us a lot of points with
union people and other Democrats in Iowa, and with national labor
leaders at a time when labor is not feeling especially happy with
us. Given our long standing support of striker replacement
legislation and previous letters done in similar situations (i.e.
the UAW vs. Caterpillar), we would not be breaking any new
ground, and we would certainly win major political points with
two crucial constituencies in next year's primary process (Iowa
Democrats and labor).
I have attached the following:
-a draft of a letter for the President to send to Bernie
Sinclair, the President of United Rubber Workers Local 310
-material I received from Harkin's office on the strike
-a copy of the letter to the CEO of Caterpillar relating to that
strike
CC: Linda Moore