PITTSBURGH (Sept. 15, 2003)—The United Steelworkers of America locals covered by the master contract with Goodyear have officially ratified the agreement, with 13 of 14 locals approving.
Local 831 in Danville, Va., was the last local to complete voting, approving the contract by a 76-percent approval margin on Sept. 12. Only Local 878 in Union City, Tenn., voted against the contract, by a 52- to 48-percent margin.
In total, 70 percent of those casting ballots voted in favor, the union said. USWA officials said the contract gives them unprecedented job security measures, with provisions to restrict imports as well as the company´s right to transfer production.
Twelve of the 14 plants covered are under protected status, with the Dunlop tire plant in Huntsville, Ala., to close by the end of this year and the Kelly-Springfield tire factory in Tyler, Texas, given partially protected status.
Goodyear said the new contract gives it much needed containment of health care, benefit and wage costs, and also gives it opportunities for improved productivity and streamlining of its North American manufacturing operations and the ability to source products globally where most needed for competitive purposes.