US union ratifies five-year Goodyear contract

Akron, Ohio – In the US, United Steelworkers union employees at five Goodyear plants ratified a new five-year contract by a 3-1 margin on 24 Aug.

The agreement, which expires 29 July 2022, covers roughly 7,200 workers at plants in Akron; Danville, Virginia.; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Gadsden, Alabama; and Topeka, Kansas, said a USW statement.

In addition to the negotiating for "significant wage increases" and closing gaps between labour grade tiers, the new agreement ensures that none of the five plants close during the contract's duration, USW said.

"We were able to negotiate the best contract in recent memory because our membership was united, and from the outset, our priorities were clear," said Tim Conway, USW International's vice president and chair of the Goodyear talks. "We are always strongest when we speak with one voice, and we proved once again that we can accomplish great things when we stand together."

In a statement issued by the tire maker, Jim Allen, vice president of Global Labor Relations for Goodyear, praised the partnership between the manufacturer and the union.

"We are pleased with the overwhelming approval of USW members on our contract, building on the strong partnership that Goodyear and the union have established over many years," Allen said. "This labour agreement positions both Goodyear and the USW for future success."