NFL players cheer on locked-out Ohio tire workers

FINDLAY, Ohio — NFL players who recently went through their own lockout are siding with hundreds of locked-out tire company workers in northwest Ohio.

The NFL Players Association says in a letter to Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. that the union's members and leadership are deeply troubled by the company's treatment of its employees.

Since late November Cooper has locked out more than 1,000 union members at a factory in its hometown of Findlay. The company acted after workers voted down a tentative three-year contract.

The Courier reports (http://bit.ly/xOCubh ) the letter signed by players union Executive Director DeMaurice Smith says Cooper should negotiate a fair contract and end the lockout.

The company had no comment.

NFL players were locked out for 4 1/2 months last year.