AMIENS, France (July 17, 2008) – Negotiations are progressing slowly between unions and Goodyear over an agreement that will require workers at an Amiens plant to work longer hours in exchange for job security and investment at the site.
Two of five unions at the Amiens North factory, which employs 1,400, have signed the agreement, as have unions representing 1,300 employees at the Amiens South facility, a Goodyear spokesman said.
One of the unions picketed the plant last week and effectively blocked production, he said. After a court order required the blockade to be removed, the employees returned to work.
Goodyear has threatened to cut 402 jobs if the productivity changes aren't enacted, but if they are, will invest $70 million at the tire plants.