Speculation Grows as Goodyear and USW Talks Continue

With very little real information coming out of the negotiations between Goodyear and the USW, word of both positive and negative progress has filtered through the ranks of both parties’ supporters.

USW union leaders have reportedly commented that, despite the latest round of talks, Goodyear and the USW still have little common ground on the key issues behind the ongoing strike at Goodyear’s North American plants. A union spokesperson said that talks will continue, but added that when it comes to the future of the Tyler plant, the company has not deviated much from it’s original stance.

Others are taking a more optimistic view of the situation. Dave Prentice, spokesman for the USW’s Akron local, has been quoted as saying the long days both sides are putting into the negotiations can “be extrapolated as a good thing.” He also said that this time he felt both sides weren’t just playing, but added the caveat that the union was making preparations as if the strike was set to continue.