United Steelworkers (USW) says members of Locals 2L, 12L, 307L, 831L and 959L have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Goodyear on behalf of around 7,200 workers at tyre plants in Akron, Ohio; Danville, Virginia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Gadsden, Alabama and Topeka, Kansas, by a three-to-one margin.
USW International VP, Tom Conway, who chairs the union’s Goodyear negotiations, credited “workers’ solidarity” throughout the bargaining process for a contract that achieved the goals the membership identified as important.
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“We were able to negotiate the best contract in recent memory because our membership was united, and from the outset, our priorities were clear,” said Conway.
“We are always strongest when we speak with one voice and we proved once again we can accomplish great things when we stand together.”
The five-year contract includes significant wage improvements, retains Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA), closes gaps between labour grade tiers and extends plant protection guarantees that none of the plants will close during the term of the agreement.
The contract also includes a commitment from Goodyear to invest in the future of the facilities to enhance the long term job security of the union workforce; maintains quality, affordable healthcare and resolves a variety of local issues.
The newly ratified agreement will expire at 18:00 on 29 July, 2022.
The USW represents 850,000 staff employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.
