USW Members Approve Early Closure of Goodyear’s Tyler Facility

The Goodyear factory in Tyler, Texas, will close earlier than originally anticipated following a union vote on July 18. United Steelworkers union members have chosen to waive the clause that required the facility, which has been used as a rubber-mixing centre following the end of tyre production in 2007, to remain in operation until after the closure of the company’s plant in Valleyfield, Canada.

The current USW contract is valid until July 2009, however the union vote means that it is now possible to close the Tyler plant before next year. Amy Brei, Goodyear manager of manufacturing communications, said that a date for closing the factory has not as yet been announced, however its closure is certain. “We just don’t need the capacity for rubber mixing,” she said.

At present there are no plans to close the Canadian facility, and Brei added that the Tyler closing would not affect other Goodyear plants.