Striking United Steelworkers workers at 16 Goodyear Tyre & Rubber plants have begun returning to work.
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Strike action began last October in protest at proposed plant closures and benefit cuts.
“Goodyear welcomes the return to work of our USW associates,” said Jon Rich, president of Goodyear’s North American tyre business in a statement.
The three-month strike ended after unionised workers approved a three-year agreement covering 14,000 employees that included plans to close the Tyler, Texas, tyre factory and create a $US1bn health care fund for retirees. The fund was larger than the tyre maker originally proposed but about half what the workers originally wanted.
Goodyear has said the pact agreed with unions will help reduce its costs by $610m over three years and $300m a year thereafter.
Production is expected to ramp up over the next few weeks.
