United Steelworkers of America and the Nashville-based tire company announced a Labor Day agreement that would keep nine of 28 U.S. factories pumping out badly needed tires.
Lawmakers hope to learn when company executives knew about the defects.
A federal investigation continues even while the tire giant works to replace 6.5 million recalled tires. Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned that an additional 1.4 million tires could be dangerous and should be replaced. Another recall effort was set to begin in Venezuela, where officials say they want to hold the tire maker and Ford Motor Co. criminally responsible for 46 fatal accidents. Yet things could have become far worse for the company. Throughout the weekend, workers at plants in Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Ohio, Indiana and Arkansas were poised to strike.