Strike possible at US Goodyear plants

The deadline for reaching a new contract agreement at a number of Goodyear, Michelin and Bridgestone plants in the US is Saturday, and the likelihood this will be settled to the satisfaction of both tyre makers and union decreases with every hour.

Negotiations with Goodyear seem to be a particular sticking point. On 23 July, the USW chapters representing several Goodyear plants issued a statement saying that “little progress has been made” on a number of matters related to wages, healthcare, pensions and holidays and warning that unionised workers that they “should start to prepare for the financial struggles that may lie ahead.” 

Comment from Goodyear’s side came in the form of a statement that read “Goodyear is committed to working with the United Steelworkers to develop a mutually beneficial agreement that supports the needs of the business and associates, while allowing for continued profitability and future growth for North America.”