Goodyear workers have gone on strike after negotiations with the United Steelworkers Union collapsed.
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Negotiations were under way to renew the existing labour contract or agree on a new contract.
In a statement, Goodyear claimed that “the union rejected a comprehensive proposal from Goodyear that would improve its competitive position while maintaining substantial commitment to manufacturing in North America. Negotiations stalled after the union’s proposals to Goodyear did not include key items found in their agreements with competitors.”
“We simply cannot accept a contract that knowingly creates a competitive disadvantage versus our foreign-owned competition and increases our cost disadvantage versus imports,” said Goodyear chief negotiator Jim Allen.
The tyre maker said its final offer to the union delivered yesterday morning included provisions for job security and significant investments for USW-represented plants, a company-funded plan to secure retiree medical benefits and restoration of prior pension service credit.
Union representative Ron Hoover, told dpa-AFX yesterday that the company left workers with no choice but to strike. The last Goodyear proposal included the closure of two plants. “We can’t let more plants close,” said Hoover.
The strike affects 14,000 workers at 12 U.S. plants covered under the master labour agreement and four additional facilities in Canada.
The current labour contract expired on 22 July but was renewed on the basis that either party could give 72 hours notice to end the contract at any time.
The United Steelworkers Union gave notice on Monday, prompting intensive talks for three days, but failed to reach an agreement.
