Goodyear’s Topeka Plant to Make 200-225 Redundant

In the US, Goodyear’s Topeka, Kansas plant is the latest to usher in a series of buyouts and layoffs, cutting its staff by between 200 and 225. The decision follows the manufacturer’s announcement made in the wake of its 2008 EOY report, which stated that it would be” taking aggressive action… to better match market conditions” by cutting 5,000 jobs in 2009. Steelworkers Local 307 voted in favour of an agreement to change contract regulations relating to staffing and production levels.

In a news release, Local 307 president Robert Tripp said the economic situation, customer demand and product inventory led union workers to agree to lowering the staffing and production level provisions.
“During these discussions the union’s primary focus was to protect each of our members and their families during these uncertain economic times,” he said in a statement. “This agreement was made to improve the viability of the plant and to improve its cost structure so that the Topeka facility shall remain competitive.”

Tripp said he wouldn’t comment beyond what was said in the release. Doors at the Local 307 building were locked Thursday evening while the votes were being counted. Signs on the door read “NO MEDIA!”
Furthermore, Tripp said the local union wouldn’t make any future announcements about layoffs, instead letting Goodyear officials release information about any such decisions.

Goodyear plant manager Tim Davis said those decisions will be made over the next few weeks as the tire company determines a timeline for the layoffs.

The plant’s medium radial truck division will absorb most of the layoffs when it begins running at a reduced capacity. The off-the-road and military Hummer tire production won’t be affected at this time.

“Adjusting the plant’s operational capacity means fewer production associates will be needed,” Davis said in a statement. “Goodyear is pleased the membership of USW Local 307 has voted to support the tentative agreement. This agreement will allow needed flexibility in the production schedule at the Topeka plant.”

The Topeka Goodyear plant employs about 1,600 workers.