AKRON (Nov. 15) — Formal talks between Goodyear and the United Steelworkers are expected to continue for a third day Nov. 16 — 42 days into the union´s strike at 16 plants — despite the union´s insistence that some of the tire maker´s proposals are "unworkable."
A Goodyear spokesman said he had no news to report at the end of the day Nov. 15, after the two sides resumed talks Nov. 14. The union called the strike Oct. 5. A union spokesman said talks are continuing.
In a Solidarity Alert letter to members, the USW said a proposal by the company to contribute to a trust fund in exchange for relief on union retiree health care liability is "an immoral and unworkable solution to this issue." The union further claimed the $660 million Goodyear has proposed contributing is $500 million short of the company´s obligation.
The Goodyear spokesman declined to comment on whether the trust fund proposal remained a viable option.
Last week the Akron-based tire maker posted a summary of its last offer to the union, dated Oct. 27, on a Web site, www.goodyearnegotiations.com.