Facts About the Goodyear Strike

December 16, 2006

Current Situation: More than 15,000 USW members have been on strike at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. since October 5. Workers from15 facilities across the United States and Canada walked off the job to protest unfair contract proposals made by the company. Twelve of the facilities are in the U.S. and are covered under a master contract. Three Canadian facilities have separate contracts but also walked off the job in solidarity. Goodyear workers vow to hold out "one day longer" than the company to obtain a fair and equitable contract that provides reasonable job security and for a fair deal on retiree health care.

Crucial Issues for All: By forcing this labor dispute, Goodyear is attempting to wash its hands of its health care obligation to current and future retirees. This is unprecedented. Retired workers at Goodyear, many of whom face illnesses and medical conditions directly related to their jobs, would soon be left without health care insurance coverage if Goodyear has its way. If the company gets away with this, it will be bad news for all union workers struggling to maintain a decent standard of living and for retirees. Also, the USW is fighting to keep employers like Goodyear from discarding North American production facilities in favor of low-wage overseas operations. This issue has far-reaching ramifications for all working people in North America.  

Significant Events: In 2003, the union accepted wide-ranging concessions on wages, pensions and healthcare, and made the difficult decision to allow the closure of one tire plant. Union workers granted all of this to Goodyear in exchange for job security commitments that would protect our members and their families. In 2005, Goodyear posted its highest profits in seven years and gave top executives large bonuses. But in 2006, Goodyear broke its promise, announced the closure of the Tyler, Texas plant with 1,100 jobs and wants to take away even more from workers. On October 31, Goodyear brought in temporary replacement workers to take the jobs of union men and women.

The Company: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells tires and related products and services worldwide. The company manufactures rubber tires for automobiles, trucks, buses, aviation, motorcycle, farm implements, earthmoving equipment, industrial equipment, and various other applications. Goodyear also develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells belts and hoses for motor vehicles; conveyor and power transmission belts; rubber track for agricultural and construction equipment; and other products and services.

Goodyear: The company is headquartered at 1144 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44316-0001, phone, 330-796-2121, fax, 330-796-2222. The company employs about 80,000 people in 28 countries. It is publicly traded under the symbol GT. Robert J. Keegan is the CEO. Jonathan (Jon) D. Rich is the President of North American Tire.

One Day Longer: USW members at Goodyear are in this fight until Goodyear provides workers with security through investment at plants in North America, and keeps its promise to provide for workers after retirement by maintaining decent health care benefits for retirees and their spouses. The issues in this strike are universal for all union workers. Ultimately, the outcome of USW v. Goodyear will have an impact on every worker, both in the US and abroad. The sheer size of this dispute means that the whole world is watching. In coming years, the strength of Organized Labor may be judged by the outcome of this single strike. That's why the USW and its members are using all our influence and resources to win.

How to contact striking Goodyear Local Unions in the United States:

Goodyear Facilities on Strike