Goodyear, USWA break off contract talks

CINCINNATI (June 30)—Negotiators for Goodyear and the United Steelworkers of America recessed discussions in Cincinnati shortly after midnight June 27 after failing to reach accord on new master contracts. The Akron tire maker submitted a proposal just before the self-imposed bargaining deadline, but the union's negotiating committee rejected it. The two sides made some progress in the few days leading up to the deadline, but did not reach agreement on "critical" issues such as job security; North American plant investment; debt restructuring; reduction of Goodyear management positions; health care benefits; and wage, pension and cost-of-living adjustments. Union employees at the company's 11 Goodyear and Dunlop tire and rubber plants covered by the master agreements still are working under a day-to-day extension that took effect after their six-year contract expired April 19. The pact for workers at Goodyear's three Kelly-Springfield facilities expires July 5. As of the morning of June 30, neither side had given 72-hour notice to terminate the day-to-day extensions. The USWA has said it is prepared to strike if necessary.