Firestone Says Court Should Interpret Collective Bargaining Agreement

URBANA, Ill. -- Firestone has opposed a motion to remand filed by several former employees who allege injury from benzene exposure, claiming that the federal court has the authority to interpret and analyze a collective bargaining agreement upon which Firestone grounded its removal notice. Blankenship, et al. v. Bridgestone Americas Holding, et al., No. 06-02159 (C.D. Ill.).

In the Sept. 20 opposition, the benzene defendant says that U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois should 'review, understand, interpret and analyze detailed terms in the [Collective Bargaining Agreements] regarding workplace safety and the study and consideration of worker occupational …