Top 10 of 2017: New labor deals, conflicts

We've compiled what the editorial staff saw as the 10 biggest stories in the industry. In addition, we've put together a recap to some of the other major events that had a broad impact in a variety of industry sectors.

As we prepare for another exciting year, join us as we look back at 2017.

We started our countdown with Judit Puskas, whose career was celebrated this year when she became the first female recipient of the ACS Rubber Division's Charles Goodyear Medal, and continued with a look at the slow rebound of the oil and gas industry.

We also examined the merger between chemical giants Dow and Dupont and looked at the fines Goodyear received after the deaths of five workers. We explored how Hurricane Harvey impacted the industry, how GM is shaping it with its committment to sustainable natural rubber, and how import duties may affect manufacturing.

We continue today with the No. 3 story of 2017.

3. New labor deals, conflicts

It was an active, and relatively peaceful, year for labor negotiations.

The United Steelworkers union wrapped up new labor agreements with nearly all of the major U.S. unionized local tire manufacturers without any issues. The USW and the 15 combined plants of Goodyear, Bridgestone, Sumitomo and Titan Tire all agreed to new master contracts providing at least five years of labor stability on all fronts.

On the non-tire side, it also reached new agreement covering four ContiTech A.G. facilities one year before the previous master deal was set to expire. The new contract also spans five years.

But it wasn't all roses for the USW, as the union attempted to unionize Kumho Tire's year-old plant in Macon, Ga., only to be met with resistance. While a wide majority of employees signed their cards, workers voted against the union 164-136. The USW has accused Kumho of unfair labor practices in conjunction with the vote in a case still being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.

On the other hand, the IUE-CWA union negotiations with Momentive did not go as smoothly. Negotiations covering three sites drug on for 105 days while workers at the two sites in Waterford, N.Y., struck to receive what they viewed as a fairer contract. The situation was resolved Feb. 10.