BLOWUP AT BRIDGESTONE.

Analyzes the confrontation between Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. management and United Rubber Workers. Reasons behind the strike; Announcement of the company that it has hired permanent replacement workers; Criticism of Bridgestone's January hiring of 2,300 permanent replacement workers by U.S. President Bill Clinton in order to score points with organized labor; Impact of the strike on the profit of the company; Criticism of the company's refusal to accept the pattern contract agreed to at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., by Labor Secretary, Robert Reich; Laws regulating companies to limit employers' ability to replace strikers for good. INSET: ANATOMY OF AN INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT.