Goodyear Workers: No More Sacrifices
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/05/business/main2067343.shtml(AP) Workers at 16 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plants in 10 states and Canada went on strike Thursday after the world's third largest tire maker and the steelworkers union failed to agree on a new labor contract.
The union said the company's latest proposal would have included two plant closings.
"The company left us with no option," said Ron Hoover, executive vice president of the United Steelworkers of America, which represents the Goodyear workers. "We cannot allow additional plant closures after the sacrifices we made three years ago to help this company survive."
Members of United Steel Workers local 286 in Lincoln, Neb., stand by a pickup truck loaded with strike signs as they wait outside the Goodyear plant in Lincoln, Neb., for the outcome of contract talks between union leaders and Goodyear, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006. (AP Photo)
The old contract expired July 22 and both sides agreed to an indefinite day-to-day extension. The Steelworkers issued a 72-hour notice on Monday and said they would terminate the contract at midday Thursday if an agreement wasn't reached.
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