Goodyear employee clocks up 70 years at work

The longest-serving Goodyear employee. Sidney Richardson, recently celebrated his 70th year of working at Goodyear’s Gadsen tyre factory in Alabama. Richardson – also known within the plant as ‘Legend’ – began working at the Gadsen factory on 22 June 1943, aged 17. To celebrate his achievement, the plant planned a cookout for employees. Richardson received a special coin from Goodyear CEO Richard Kramer and a certificate of recognition from Alabama Governor Robert Bentley.

His first day on the job took place in a Gadsen plant that had segregated toilet facilities but no union – the latter being organised during Richardson’s first year at the plant. According to regional website AL.com, which reported Sidney Richardson’s 70th anniversary, the ‘Gadsen septuagenarian’ said that he considered retiring after 40 years on the job, but thought he might get bored as he didn’t have any hobbies. “I still felt young, so I thought maybe I’ll go another 20 years,” he said. “Then, when I did that, I thought, maybe I’ll go another 20 years. I still haven’t found out why people retire. If I ever find out why, then maybe I’m going to retire.”