PITTSBURGH (Sept. 22)—The United Steelworkers union intends to "closely monitor" Goodyear´s proposed sale of its Engineered Products division.
The USW, which represents 2,250 members at seven Goodyear engineered products plants in North America, said the labor agreements with Goodyear contain "successorship" language requiring a potential buyer to recognize the USW as the workers´ bargaining representative.
"Goodyear has been straightforward in telling us that it wants to explore this avenue," said Ron Hoover, USW executive vice president heading the union's Rubber/Plastics Industry Conference. "We are certain they will inform all interested buyers of the contractual language that protects our members and the union in the case of any possible sale."
In addition, the proposed buyer must negotiate a new labor contract with the USW prior to completing its purchase with Goodyear, Hoover said.