August 27, 2013
By Stephanie West
Pittsburgh, Penn. – Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) have ratified a new, four-year collective bargaining agreement with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company that covers about 8,500 workers at six of the company’s U.S. facilities. Steelworkers at plants in Buffalo, N.Y.; Topeka, Kan.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Danville, Va.; Gadsden, Ala.; and Akron, Ohio passed the contract by an overwhelming 3-1 margin.
USW International President Leo W. Gerard said that “the ratified contract improves income, retirement and job security, among other benefits.”
“The contract protects our plants against closure throughout its term,” said Tom Conway, USW International Vice President, who chairs the union’s Goodyear negotiations. “We also negotiated a commitment from Goodyear to invest in our North American facilities so that future generations can look forward to continuing the tradition of manufacturing in these communities.”
In the contract, the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) coverage has been expanded to all USW-represented Goodyear employees and that the contract provides more flexibility for Steelworkers to move between jobs within the plants.
